MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
Australia will contribute a further $1 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support a new national polio immunisation campaign in Indonesia, the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Bruce Billson, announced today.
'This support will help administer critical polio vaccine to more than 24 million Indonesian children, in particular, vulnerable children under five years of age,' Mr Billson said.
'Australia's additional funding will enhance an important national vaccination program aimed at fighting the spread of the virus and increasing immunity levels amongst Indonesian children.
'The Australian Government's international development agency, AusAID, is working closely with the Indonesian Government, the WHO and UNICEF to respond to the outbreak which has now been detected in five provinces in western Java and southern Sumatra,' Mr Billson said.
'Australia has supported childhood immunisation campaigns in Indonesia since the last outbreak in 1995, with more than $4.5 million contributed to the mass vaccination of children across the country. These campaigns have included polio and measles vaccinations together with Vitamin A supplementation.
'The 226 cases identified since April this year, highlight the importance of Australian assistance in helping neighbouring countries strengthen their national health systems.
'Australia's prompt early response to the outbreak included a $1 million contribution to an emergency polio vaccination program for 5.2 million children in the three provinces surrounding the original outbreak.
'Our work in fighting polio is part of Australia's commitment to halting the spread of infectious diseases in developing countries. Since early 2004, we have contributed more than $5 million to help the WHO develop strategies to combat communicable diseases, including Avian Flu in Indonesia alone.
'I urge all Australians travelling to Indonesia, especially those with young children, to ensure that their polio immunisations are up to date,' Mr Billson said.
The Australian Government has also contributed $7.6 million to Rotary International's Global
Polio Initiative to match funds raised by Rotary International since May 2001 under a four year agreement.
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's office) 0408 680 442
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590