With better functionality and new features, the app is a part of NSW Health’s annual campaign to remind parents and carers to get their children immunised on time from serious preventable diseases.
Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director of Communicable Diseases at NSW Health, said on-time vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from serious diseases.
"With whooping cough cases on the rise it is particularly crucial for infants to be vaccinated on time at 6 weeks, 4 months and 6 months of age, as well as all mums getting the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy," Dr Sheppeard said.
"The new Save the Date to Vaccinate app helps parents and carers to stay on top of their child’s immunisations by creating a personalised immunisation schedule.
"One of the features of the app sends a reminder to parents and carers whenever it’s time to vaccinate their child and lets them know which vaccinations they need.
"Parents and carers should get their kids vaccinated as close as possible to the scheduled due date, even if they are mildly unwell. Delaying vaccination for even a few weeks can put a child at risk of getting a life-threatening disease."
For Megan Pollett, a Kingsgrove mum of three kids under the age of five, keeping track of her child’s vaccinations can be difficult.
"I used a fridge magnet that lists the various vaccinations my child needs and I tried to write reminders on my phone. But now it’s easier with the app that automatically reminds me when my child’s vaccinations is due, which is incredibly helpful," Mrs Pollett said.
"I’ve previously delayed my second child’s vaccinations as he had a temperature. I wasn’t aware that any delay could cause such risks, so the more reminders I can receive with this app, the better."
NSW Health recently issued a community alert due to the highest number of whooping cough cases reported since the last outbreak finished in 2016, with over 1000 cases notified in November.
On time vaccination and overall participation in childhood immunisation programs continues to improve in NSW, with 94.4 per cent of children fully vaccinated by 5 years of age in the past 12 months compared to 90.8 per cent in 2012.
Protecting children from potentially deadly diseases is a key priority for the NSW Government, which has invested approximately $120 million in the 2018-19 Immunisation Program budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines.
Download the free ‘Save The Date To Vaccinate’ app at: www.immunisation.health.nsw.gov.au
