No one can deny “prevention is better than a cure”. In this matter, one of the biggest contributions of preventive medicine is the discovery of vaccination.

With vaccination, the numbers of many diseases have declined drastically. One example is the polio vaccine: from an incidence of 350,000 cases worldwide in 1988 to just over 1300 cases in 2007. Furthermore, vaccination not only protects individuals, but also others in the community, by increasing the general level of immunity and minimising the spread of infection.

Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to prevent serious illness. One way is by raising public awareness of the effectiveness of vaccination and this should start at childhood.

Many parents find their child’s vaccine schedule confusing. Sometimes, each health facility and country has their own recommended schedule. BIMC Hospital realises this and has trusted Dr. Meike Magnasofa to be in charge of the vaccination program.

Dr. Meike is one of BIMC’s general practitioners with a special interest in women’s health, children immunisation and children education. She grew up in West Java, Indonesia. Her father is a doctor and inspired her to become a doctor, a profession that enables her to do what she likes most, help others. She received her Bachelor Degree and Medical Doctor Degree from the Medical Faculty of Padjajaran University. After working in local clinics in Bandung, this highly energetic doctor travelled to Perth where she completed an English Course to her improve her communication skills. In 2005, she was awarded an Australian Development Scholarship and was accepted into Melbourne University, Australia where she earned a Master of Medicine in Women’s Health.

Dr. Meike has developed a simplified childhood vaccination schedule based on Australian’s vaccination program. Being a parent herself with two children, Dr. Meike, who also had training in the Positive Parenting Program in Western Australia, will help those parents who are confused about their child’s vaccinations. She will oversee which vaccine is necessary, when to have them and how to schedule a catch up program for late vaccinations.

For the children’s immunization program, Dr. Meike is available on Tuesdays and Saturdays between 8 am - 3 pm. Don’t hesitate to contact BIMC Hospital on 761263 to make an appointment to discuss your health concerns with Dr. Meike.