Think Twice: Reducing Antibiotic Prescribing in Children
Our goal
To more appropriately prescribe antibiotics for children
In Victoria, dispensing rates for children under 5 are higher than any other age group, equating to roughly 1 script per child per year. This is much higher than comparable countries and has not shifted in over a decade.
The harms associated with overuse of antibiotics include:
- Bacterial resistance to future antibiotic use
- Increased risk of short-term adverse effects
- Greater risk of developing other health related conditions (such as Asthma, Crohn’s disease, and weight gain).
Caregivers and clinicians will be encouraged to ‘Think Twice’ about the use of antibiotics and consider both the child’s short and long-term health.
Think Twice will promote new thinking and cross-sector collaboration to better manage childhood illnesses in healthcare settings and at home, ensuring children receive the right treatment now, to prevent antibiotic resistance in the future.
Our progress...
Phase one underway
Project updates
Think Twice: Reducing Antibiotic Prescribing in Children
Applications are open for the Reducing Antibiotic Prescribing in Children Expert Working Group
17 June 2022
Our stories
Patients profile
Encouraging parents to ‘Think Twice’ about antibiotics
When you’ve been up with a sick child for a couple of nights, you’d give anything for them to feel well again. It’s common to wonder if you are doing enough, and whether they might need antibiotics – however they are not always the answer.
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