COLLIE has experienced a worrying fall in the number of one-year-olds who are fully vaccinated, despite the percentage of immunised children overall being on the rise.
Immunisation figures for one-year-olds have fallen from 95 per cent in 2011-12 to only 83.7 per cent in 2013-13, with 21 local children of that age not fully immunised.
Collie's figure for this age group lags behind the national average of 91.2 per cent.
"The one year old drop is a concern and clearly an area we all can work on," Collie River Valley Medical Centre doctor Peter Wutchak said.
"I am surprised by the figures as our practice nurses work very hard on childhood immunisation.
"We aim for over 90 per cent community immunisation levels to help maintain herd immunity."
He said a whooping cough and measles were the diseases that presented the greatest risk to children under the age of one.
Dr Wutchak said CRVMC maintains an active recall program and he had not noticed any changes in immunisation rates at his practice.
"It could be some new families to the area that have not got around to getting their children immunised," he said.
Collie's performance in other categories is better, with the town's two-year-olds showing 95.5 per cent compared to the national average of 92.5 per cent, and its five-year-olds equalling the national average of 91.5 per cent.
The figures for two and five-year-olds in Collie have increased from the high 80s in 2011-12 to their current figures.
"We are pleased with the five-year-old figure, which may reflect the initiation of the Healthy Kids Check which is offered to all children before starting school."
Dr Wutchak said childhood immunisation was vitally important for a number of reasons, with the potential for the diseases of yesteryear to make a comeback.
"Measles, mumps and pertussis will become more common with significant implications - measles is not a nice disease," Dr Wutchak said.
"Unfortunately the young are more vulnerable.
"When you immunise your child you are not just protecting your own child but also children who have not had a chance to be immunised yet - such as newborn babies."
Dr Wutchak said CRVMC offers free childhood immunisation to all children and can help with a catch up program if families had fallen behind.
"No appointment is necessary - just bring in your children," he said.
