Immunisation for your child
Immunisation is a safe and effective way to protect your baby or child from serious childhood illnesses.
***Key Points***
Large scale research tells very serious health risks of these infections or diseases which may also be life threatening are greater than the very small risks of immunisation.
Vaccination is an effective way to protect your baby against certain vaccine-preventable diseases.
***Key Points***
***How vaccines work***
Vaccines work by stimulating the body’s defence mechanism, called the immune system, to provide protection against infection and illness.
Immunisations harnesses the body’s own defence mechanism.
A baby’s immune system begins developing before birth. A mothers antibodies protect her newborn against many infections during and soon after birth while the baby’s immune system is developing and maturing. This response is shown to last around 4 months.
***How vaccines work***
***The National Immunisation Program***
The National Immunisations program provides vaccines for your baby from birth.
Access to free National Immunisation Program vaccines requires a person to hold or be eligible for a Medicare card.
These include:
- diphtheria
- tetanus
- whooping cough (pertussis)
- polio
- pneumococcal disease
- meningococcal ACWY disease
- hepatitis B
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- rotavirus
- chickenpox (varicella)
- measles
- mumps
- rubella (German measles)
- influenza (flu).
- The hepatitis Avaccine is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in high-risk areas (Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia).
The first immunisation your baby will be offered is the Hepatitis B vaccine, usually offered in hospital prior to discharge.
The next schedule of vaccines are offered at 2 months of age (although your baby can have these from 6 weeks of age)
These include
Diptheria, Tetnus, Pertussis (whooping cough) Hepatitis B, Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae B
***The National Immunisation Program***
The full schedule and timings are available on the
***Where can I get my child immunised***
Your local council will run immunisation clinics. Speak to your MCHN about this option.
Your GP or paediatrician can provide immunisations.
***Where can I get my child immunised***
***Side effects of having a vaccine***
What are the side effects?
The side effects on having a vaccine can vary depending on the vaccine and each individual response.
Many children have some localised areas of redness, tenderness or swelling where the needle punctured the skin.
Your child may also experience mild fever, be unsettled or irritable. Encourage the to rest, drink plenty of fluids or breastfeed. You can give your child an appropriate dose of paracetamol if required.
Most side effects are short lasting and your child will recover within 12-24 hours. If you have any concerns please see your doctor.
***Side effects of having a vaccine***
***The Australian Immunisation Register***
The Australian immunisation register is where your vaccines are recorded.
This immunisation history statement shows all the immunisations your child has received.
It can be accesses here:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/australian-immunisation-register
You can obtain your child’s immunisation history statement
- by calling the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809
- through your Medicare online account on myGov
To receive the Family Tax Benefit Part A and the Child care subsidy your child needs to be up to date with their immunisation schedule or have a medical exemption if they are unable to be vaccinated.
***The Australian Immunisation Register***
Resources
You can call the National Immunisation Information Line on 1800 671 811 or visit the website.
Call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 or visit the website at Services Australia.
