29 July 2025
Parliament of Victoria | Legislative Council
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan):
My constituency question is for the Minister for Health. My constituent, a health worker, is deeply concerned that the vaccination centre at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital will be forced to close its walk-in service next month after its funding was cut.
Child immunisation rates are declining, and vaccine-preventable diseases in Brimbank such as chickenpox and whooping cough have risen sharply since 2023.
Council-run services are struggling to meet demand and are not designed for clients that may require access to hospital services like sedation. To quote Brendan Crabb, director of the Burnet Institute, from a recent Age article:
“Nothing should be off the table. The cost-effectiveness of it is extraordinary. If you don’t prevent, you’ve got to spend money treating.”
My constituent asks: will the minister restore funding so Western Health can continue this vital service?
Written Answer
Received: 18 August 2025
Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas MP
(Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services)
There has been no cut to immunisation funding to Western Health. The health service is currently working with the Victorian Department of Health on an enduring model for opportunistic vaccination services under the National Immunisation Program, which complement the broad access to specialist vaccine services that Western Health is currently funded to deliver.
[ENDS]
