Immunisations

Some of the diseases children are vaccinated against, like whooping cough and flu, are still common in Australia. Others, like measles, are less common in Australia but are more common in countries nearby. We vaccinate children to protect them from diseases that can be brought here by travellers.

Some of the diseases we vaccinate children against, like polio, have become very rare because vaccination has stopped them from spreading. We still vaccinate Australian children against these diseases so that they won't be able to come back.

The timing of each dose of every vaccine has been determined by rigorous and independent scientific research. The timing of vaccines is based on a range of factors, including:

• the diseases Australian children are likely to be exposed to
• how serious the diseases can be for children at different ages
• which vaccines are the safest and most effective
• how many doses are needed to provide full protection
• the age when the vaccines will give the best protection.

Making sure your child gets specific vaccinations at specific times in their development is the best way to protect them and others against serious diseases.

For more information on how these timings are determined, contact the National Immunisations Hotline on 1800 671 811 or consult with your maternal and child health nurse or preferred doctor.

Delaying vaccination is not recommended. When vaccination is delayed, children are unprotected for longer than they need to be. This is often at an age when they're most vulnerable, when a disease is most common or when it may have the most serious health impacts.

Spacing out vaccines means that a child will need to have more vaccination appointments. Researchers have found that visiting the doctor for one needle is just as stressful for children as visiting the doctor for two needles at once.

Recommended vaccination schedules change over time based on scientific insights or improved vaccine technology. When new vaccines become available, they can be added to the schedule to protect children from a disease they couldn't be protected from before.

New 'combination vaccines' reduce the number of needles children need to get because they protect children against more than one disease with a single needle. When a vaccine is improved, or a safer, more effective or less expensive vaccine is developed, fewer doses may be needed or they may be needed at different ages.

Booster doses are sometimes added to the schedule to strengthen the protective effect of a vaccine.

Patterns of disease, strains of viruses or bacteria, medical care, available vaccines and their cost are different in other countries. Medical experts and health economists consider all of the available information about children and diseases in their countries, and decide which vaccines should be given to children at what ages.

In Australia, medical experts and health economists from a variety of independent advisory groups decide which vaccines should be provided to children living in Australia. When making these decisions, they carefully consider medical science, the cost of the vaccines and the safety of our children.

Yes, you do. 'No Jab, No Play' legislation requires all children to be fully vaccinated before they can be enrolled in childcare or kindergarten in Victoria, unless they have a medical exemption.

Vaccination services are free. You won't need to pay anything.

Contact the National Immunisations Hotline for the latest immunisation information by phoning 1800 671 811.