Immunisation

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• Why is immunisation so important?
• What immunisations are recommended?
• Where can I have my child immunised?  
• Immunisation information and schedule for Australians 
• Immunisation calculator 
• Reactions to immunisation 
• What is the Australian childhood immunisation register (ACIR)? 
• Immunisation and family payments
• Immunisation information
• Immunisation before, during and after pregnancy 
• Commonly asked questions

Why is immunisation so important?

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting your child and yourself against some diseases which can cause serious illnesses and sometimes death. Also if your child is protected, he or she will not be able to pass the infection on to other people, especially very young babies who are not yet fully immunised.

What immunisations are recommended?

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends that Australian children and adults are immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), chickenpox and hepatitis B. Vaccines for these diseases are free, although for chickenpox this is depending on the age of the child (read more at the Immunise Australia Program website).

It is also recommended that some people are immunised against meningococcal C, pneumococcal infections, hepatitis A and influenza. While all Australians can be immunised against these diseases, the vaccines are only free for some high-risk groups.

Several other vaccines, such as hepatitis A and cholera are available to any person if needed (there will be a cost for these vaccines).

Polio vaccine is now given by an injection rather than an oral dose (since 1 November 2005).

Where can I have my child immunised?

Immunisations can be provided by your doctor, immunisation clinics, local councils, community child health nurses and by some hospitals.

Immunisation information and schedule for Australians

Different states in Australia may have slightly different schedules as different vaccines may be used.

The Immunise Australia Program website has information about the recommended immunisations.

The Australian Immunisation Handbook, 8th Edition (2003) is available in full on the Immunise Australia site.

You can also read about the National Immunisation Program schedule.

Immunisation calculator

The Immunisation Calculator uses the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule. It recommends doses of vaccine to be given at specific ages. If doses of vaccine are delayed or missed, the CYH Immunisation Calculator will assist in providing a 'catch-up' schedule for future vaccine doses.

Reactions to immunisation

After immunisations, some children may have a reaction. Most reactions, such as feeling unwell, being irritable, fever, and soreness around the injection area occur within 48 hours of having the immunisation. They are usually mild and do not last very long.

If the child becomes obviously unwell it is probable that the child has a different health problem (e.g. a cold or other viral infection), and it may be wise to have the child checked by a doctor.

Reactions to the MMR vaccine

• A reaction to the MMR vaccine may occur 5-12 days after the immunisation and may cause a mild fever, faint rash, head cold, runny nose, cough and/or puffy eyes due to the measles part of the vaccine. 
• Swelling of the glands in the neck may happen about three weeks after the injection due to the mumps part of the vaccine. 
• These reactions do not make the child infectious.
• Reactions do not usually last for more than 48 hours, and the following may help to relieve symptoms. 
  • Place a cold cloth on the injection site if it is red or swollen (do not place ice directly onto the skin).
  • If the child has a fever or seems in pain, some paracetamol or ibuprofen may help.
  • If the child is not eating as much as usual, offer some extra drinks (breastmilk, formula or water). 
  • Many children need extra cuddling and comforting for a day or so.

What is the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)?

From 1 January 1996, the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (the Immunisation Register) began recording details of vaccinations given to children under the age of seven who live in Australia.

It provides you and health professionals with many benefits such as:

• an immunisation history statement when your child turns one, two and five years of age
• documents to help with eligibility for some family payment 
• the option of getting a copy of your child's immunisation details at any time and 
• the ability to track immunisation levels in Australia to assist health professionals monitor disease outbreaks.

For more information about the Immunisation Register

• Call the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register: 1800 653 809 
• Email: acir@medicareaustralia.gov.au   
• Access your child's immunisation history statement online via Medicare Australia Online Services
• If you need interpreting help call: TIS: 131 450 (Translating and Interpreting Service) 
• TTY: 1800 552 152 (hearing impaired) 
• Call the Department of Health & Ageing’s immunisation infoline: 1800 671 811

How do I enrol my child on the Immunisation Register?
Children under seven years of age enrolled in Medicare are automatically included on the Immunisation Register.

Children who are not eligible to enrol in Medicare can be added when a doctor or immunisation provider sends the details of vaccinations to the Immunisation Register.

How is information recorded on the Immunisation Register?
Information about your child's vaccinations should be sent as soon as possible by the doctor or immunisation provider to ensure the Immunisation Register is up to date.

How will the Immunisation Register help me keep track of my child's vaccinations?
An immunisation history statement will be sent to you when your child turns one, two and five years of age, or upon request. Information about your child's immunisation details recorded on the Immunisation Register and any immunisations that are missing for your child will be included on the statement.

An immunisation history statement can be requested by calling the Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 (free call) or by visiting the Medicare Australia Immunisation Register.

An immunisation history statement will be sent to the most recent address recorded on the Immunisation Register. To ensure you receive your child's statement, it is important to notify Medicare and your immunisation provider if you change your address.

Can my doctor or immunisation provider get a record of my child's immunisation history?
Your doctor or immunisation provider can get information about your child's vaccinations. This may be useful if your child has not been to that doctor or immunisation provider before as they will then be able to decide what vaccinations are due.

Immunisation and family payments

Your child has to be up to date with immunisations, or have an exemption, so that your family can receive payments such as the Child Care Benefit and the Maternity Immunisation Allowance.

Your child's immunisation status (as recorded on the Immunisation Register) must be checked before these family payments can be made.

If your child's immunisation status is not up to date, you will be asked to submit an Immunisation History form completed by your doctor or immunisation provider, confirming your child is up to date with immunisations, or obtain an exemption. You can also arrange for a catch-up program if further vaccinations are required.

Immunisation exemptions apply in the following situations:

1. Your child cannot be immunised due to a medical condition. Ask your doctor or immunisation provider to complete a Medical Contra-indication form. 
2. Your child has a natural immunity to a disease, or a vaccine is unavailable. Ask your doctor or immunisation provider to give you a letter explaining the reasons. 
3. You have a personal, philosophical, religious or medical belief that immunisation should not occur. Ask your doctor or immunisation provider to complete a Conscientious Objection form.

Medical Contra-indication, Immunisation History and Conscientious Objection forms are available from all Medicare offices, or ring the Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809

Immunisation information

More information about immunisation is available at the Immunise Australia Program website, developed by the Public Health Division of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aging. There you will find information about:

• What is immunisation? 
• The immunisations and the diseases they prevent, for example, common misconceptions about immunisation
  • diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough)
  • poliomyelitis (polio)
  • measles, mumps and rubella (German Measles)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)
  • hepatitis B 
  • pneumococcal disease 
  • chicken pox
• common side effects of immunisation and what to do about them
• what to tell the doctor or nurse when taking your child for an immunisation
• immunisation and your eligibility for some government benefits.

Immunisation before, during and after pregnancy

Some immunisations, including rubella immunisation, help protect an unborn baby. For more information have a look at the topic Pregnancy - immunisation.

Commonly asked questions

Some parents are concerned about possible harm that might be caused to their child by immunisations and possible alternatives to immunisation.

Immunise Australia has on its internet site two documents which may be of use if you have concerns:

• Commonly asked questions
• Immunisation Myths and Realities - Responding to arguments against immunisation: a guide for providers.

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