The state government will extend the free meningococcal ACWY vaccine program for children aged one to four years.
Health Minister Roger Cook announced on November 27 that the government will fund the program for another year to ensure that more children receive the life-saving protection.
The vaccination, which was first introduced in January, offers protection from ACWY strains of meningococcal disease.
In Western Australia, 76,000 children aged one to four years old have received the vaccine, representing only 55 per cent of children in this age group.
More than 61,000 children remain unprotected.
Mr Cook said it was an alarming statistic.
"We still have 45 per cent of children aged under five who are not vaccinated,” he said.
“We are extending the vaccination program to give parents extra time to get their children vaccinated, but this is not something that should be put off.
“Meningococcal disease is deadly, and I ask parents to take advantage of this extended program and ensure their children are protected against this disease.
"We know that children under five have the highest attack rate of this disease, and now is the time to act.
“Get your child vaccinated - all it takes is a simple trip to an immunisation clinic or GP and it could save their life.”
The State-funded program will also be extended to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged six weeks.
Aboriginal children represent more than 90 per cent of meningococcal disease cases in under five-year-olds that could have been prevented by the vaccine.
Meningococcal disease is an uncommon, life-threatening illness caused by a bacterial infection of the blood and/or the membranes that line the spinal cord and brain.
Symptoms include fever, headache, neck stiffness, muscle or joint pains, nausea and a rash of red-purple spots or bruises.
In babies, symptoms can include fever, rapid breathing, rash, vomiting, irritability or drowsiness.
Medical assistance should be sought immediately for anyone experiencing such symptoms.
The Department of Health will be sending out reminders to parents whose children have not yet been vaccinated to ensure they do not miss out.
For more information about the vaccination program, visit healthywa.wa.gov.au.
