Commonwealth Numbered Regulations - Explanatory Statements

[Index] [Search] [Download] [Related Items] [Help]

NATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) 1997 NO. 58

STATUTORY RULES 1997 NO. 58

Issued by Authority of the Minister for Health and Family Services

National Health Act 1953

National Health Regulations (Amendment)

Section 140 of the National Health Act 1953 (the Act) provides that the Governor-General may make Regulations for the purposes of the Act.

Section 9B of the Act provides that the Minister may provide, or arrange for the provision of, vaccine for the purpose of immunizing persons against any of a number of diseases. The diseases specified in the section are poliomyelitis, mumps, measles and rubella. In addition, the section also applies to any other disease prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of paragraph 9B(d).

Regulation 6 of the National Health Regulations (the Regulations) prescribes one disease, hepatitis B, for the purposes of paragraph 9B(d) of the Act.

Regulation 6 of the Regulations has been amended to prescribe five more diseases for the purposes of paragraph 9B (d) of the Act. These diseases are diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and Haemophilus influenzae type B.

The amendment will enable the Minister to make arrangements for the provision of vaccines against these diseases in a cost effective way as provided for in the Act. In particular, the Government of Victoria has put forward a proposal to provide influenza vaccination for high risk patients in the 65 year old and over category for the 1997 winter season. Such an approach will be considered for extension to other States and Territories of the Commonwealth and to the other specified diseases if and when judged desirable.

The Regulations commenced on gazettal.