Guest Editorial: Childhood immunisation - so near and yet so far

Abstract

In this 200th anniversary year of Jenner's observation that innoculation with cowpox protected against smallpox, it is timely to review the status of childhood immunisation in NSW. Considerable effort is made by staff based in Public Health Units and community health services to maintain surveillance of immunisation uptake among young children. Although a vocal minority attests otherwise, immunisation remains a very cost-effective and safe public health intervention, providing benefit to the individual as well as to the community.