More parents agree to jabs

The number of WA children whose parents refuse to have them vaccinated is at its lowest rate in two years and experts hope it shows the immunisation message is gaining traction.

Figures for the March quarter show more WA children under age seven were listed on the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register and fewer were recorded as having parents who were conscientious objectors.

There were 4207 children with conscientious objection recorded, or 1.75 per cent of children under seven, compared with 4642 children, or 1.93 per cent, in December. It is the lowest rate of objection since June 2013 when numbers started rising steadily.

Immunisation coverage also increased with 91.2 per cent of WA toddlers fully vaccinated.

Why vaccinating children is a good idea

Catherine Hughes, who has campaigned for immunisation since her one-month-old son Riley died of complications from whooping cough two months ago, said it was a welcome trend she hoped would continue.

"We are hopeful parents will continue to consider the positive impact immunisation has, not just on their children, but on the health of our community," Mrs Hughes said.

"This is a fantastic sign that parents are recognising the importance, effectiveness and safety of vaccination."

Telethon Kids Institute vaccine expert Peter Richmond said there were good signs more parents understood the benefits of vaccination, with overall coverage rates slowly improving.

He said it was likely the Federal Government's recent decision to stop welfare and childcare benefits for objectors to immunisation could improve rates, but education was still the key.

"The more information parents get the better, particularly with vaccine-hesitant parents who don't object as such but for whatever reason don't get around to having their kids vaccinated," Professor Richmond said.

"The latest figures are very pleasing because we know that immunising your children is important for keeping them well, and it's parents who make the decision about whether their children will be vaccinated.

"I think the improvements we're starting to see reflect a lot of hard work in WA but we still have more to do."