Qld child deaths linked to no vaccinations

Queensland children who were not vaccinated have accounted for more than half of the state's child deaths between 2004-2012.

Children who were not vaccinated against preventable diseases account for more than half of Queensland's child deaths in eight years.

Fifty-five of the 82 children who died from diseases from January 2004 to December 2012 were not vaccinated, the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian has found.

Forty-three of those deaths were children aged under four years.

Acting Commissioner Barry Salmon says he respects parents right to vaccinate or not but he strongly advises them to seek medical advice on the matter.

"There has been a decline in vaccination rates within a number of distinct areas, giving rise to concerns about the risk of future disease outbreaks," Mr Salmon said.

"Families may choose not to vaccinate their children for fear of adverse side effects, on medical grounds or for religious reasons."

He said the internet is rife with unregulated information about vaccinations and potential side effects.