Nearly one-third of 15-year-old girls in the Hunter are not being fully immunised against the highly contagious human papillomavirus which can cause cervical cancer.
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There are more than 150 types of the virus, known as HPV, and it is estimated that four out of five people will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives.
It is often asymptomatic, most commonly transmitted through sexual contact, and can cause a wide range of cancers as well as other conditions such as genital wards.
More than 800 Australian women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2011.
HPV immunisations rates in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie are below the national average and going backwards.
The region recorded a vaccination rate of 71 per cent of girls who turned 15 in 2012, and 68 per cent of girls who turned 15 in 2013, compared to the national average of 70 and 72 per cent respectively, according to data released on Thursday by the national Bureau of Health Information.
Nationally, immunisations rates varied between 94 per cent in Mackay, Queensland, to 56 per cent in south east Tasmania and parts of outer Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
National Health Performance Authority CEO Dr Diane Watson said the report provided the most nationally consistent data by local area available on HPV rates.
“Communities now have the clearest picture yet on where HPV immunisation rates are high and low,’’ she said.
‘‘This new information will assist to better target strategies to improve HPV immunisation rates.’’
The National HPV Vaccination Program was introduced in 2007, to protect girls against infection by a virus known to cause cervical cancer, the program was extended to include boys in January 2013, and those results will be included in future reports.
