mmg.com.au

Immunisation is a prospect confronting every family.

Shepparton mother Fiona Carey said she did not hesitate in getting her children vaccinated.

‘‘I just think it’s really important. I was done and so mine were all done,’’ she said.

‘‘I choose to because I want my children to be safe.’’

Mrs Carey is the mother of Joel, 10, Brooke, 8, and Rhys, 5, and they were all vaccinated through Greater Shepparton City Council at no cost to the family.

Although Mrs Carey said there was one immunisation Joel missed out on, it was introduced in time for the other children. She said there was an out-of-pocket expense for Joel to get this vaccine.

‘‘Joel wasn’t covered for the chicken pox vaccination, so I paid for that to be done because I didn’t see the point in having the others done and not him,’’ she said.

She said she was aware of opposition to immunisation and it was ‘‘a touchy subject’’.

‘‘For entry to childcare, daycare or preschool, as well as schools, you have to show them your immunisation certificate,’’ she said.

‘‘You can’t discriminate against people who haven’t got their kids immunised because that’s their choice.

‘‘I’ve never really thought about (whether children who aren’t immunised are putting my children at risk) because you never really know who has and hasn’t (been immunised).’’