Methodology for measuring Australia's childhood immunisation coverage

Abstract

The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) commenced operation on 1 January 1996. It is administered by the Health Insurance Commission for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services. The ACIR holds identification and immunisation details for each child under the age of 7 years who is registered for Medicare, and any child who is not yet registered for Medicare but for whom an immunisation has been notified to the ACIR. By the age of 12 months, 98.4% of Australian children have Medicare registration (personal communication, Kathi Williams, HIC). Medicare registration includes the postcode of residence of each child, allowing reports to be prepared for Australia, for each State and Territory and for smaller units such as Local Government Areas and Statistical Divisions defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.