But this is not something we should feel the need to celebrate. It should be a given. 

Francis Greenway High School at Beresfield achieved a 100 per cent vaccination rate for the shot to protect against human papilloma virus (HPV), 98 per cent for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DPT) and 90 per cent for the shot that wards off chicken pox.

Maitland Grossmann High, Maitland High and Rutherford Technology High School also recorded good rates.

High vaccination rates should be so common that they don’t warrant a statement from the health minister or a story in the media. But here we are.

The debate between those who protect their children with conventional medicine and those who reject it because of a few Google searches is one that we, in the 21^st century, should be past.

It’s gob-smacking that there are still many people who choose half-baked “studies”, published by people who would be just as comfortable trying to selling you a bridge, rather than most of the world’s doctors.

And the sheer amount of unsubstantiated information online has helped those who don’t believe in the necessity of vaccinations become more confident in their misguided and dangerous views.

Confirmation bias – the idea that there’s enough information on the internet to back up any claim – has a lot to answer for, in this respect.

Children depend on their parents for the best care possible.

In this case, the argument that everyone’s opinion is valid doesn’t apply. The facts are in.

Parents who refuse vaccinations are saying they are willing to bet their child’s health on the notion that they know more about the issue than most medical professionals worldwide.

This is a long-odds, dangerous gamble.

Yes, science and scientific findings change over time. 

But science provides us with the best answers we can get – answers that are tested and agreed upon by a majority of experts who devote their lives to studying subjects.

It takes a special mix of arrogance and ignorance to think you know better after some light reading. At least, at our local high schools, common sense is prevailing.