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Dr Kate Alexander is urging Gold Coast families to take advantage of the life-saving benefits of childhood immunisation amidst an uptick in cases of preventable diseases.
The Gold Coast Public Health Unit Medical Director said vaccination creates a community safeguard against illnesses such as measles and whooping cough.
But declining immunisation rates are putting the vulnerable at higher risk.
“Vaccination doesn’t just protect the individual who is vaccinated,” Dr Alexander said.
“If we achieve high enough rates, it helps protect the community by reducing the risk of transmission.
“This helps those who can’t be vaccinated, such as babies and people with weakened immune systems.”
On the Gold Coast 82.1 per cent of one-year-olds, 82.6 per cent of two-year-olds, and 87.1 per cent of five-year-olds are fully immunised as of the January to March 2026 quarter. These figures fall below the national average.
The consequences are already being felt. This year, the Gold Coast has recorded seven confirmed cases of measles, compared to just one or two cases during the same period in 2024 and 2025.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, has also seen a resurgence in recent years, with outbreaks linked to declining vaccination rates.
Dr Alexander acknowledges that some families may feel uncertain about vaccinating their children, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her advice to parents is simple: talk to your GP or doctor.
“I really encourage families to talk to their GP, talk to their doctor, and discuss any questions they may have,” she said.
“It’s a great way to explore the recommendations around what vaccines are needed for their child, at what time, and why. It’s important to get those questions answered.”
Asking questions is an important step, but it’s crucial to recognise that immunisation has been the cornerstone of protecting our community from serious diseases like measles and pertussis.
“We’re fortunate that we haven’t seen many of these diseases for a long time in our community, and that’s thanks to the success of immunisation programs,” Dr Alexander said.
“But we need to keep up the effort to ensure these diseases don’t make a comeback.”
She also highlighted the importance of the flu vaccine, which is now free for all Queenslanders aged six months and over.
“With winter upon us, it’s the perfect time for people to get immunised against the flu to ensure they’re protected,” she said.
For more information, contact your GP or visit the Gold Coast Health website to learn about our immunisation services.
