Immunisation

What is Immunisation?

There are quite a number of infectious diseases which can be prevented by immunisation. Some of the more frequently immunised against are diphtheria, tetanus, influenza, rubella, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease and pneumococcal disease. All of these diseases can cause serious complications and sometimes death.

Where do I go to be immunised against these diseases?

Many of these vaccines are provided free-of-charge and are available from your General Practitioner, Council immunisation clinic or other immunisation provider. Children can also be immunised at school if your Council runs a school immunisation program. Contact the Environmental Health Officer at your Council (http://www.lgat.tas.gov.au/site/page.cfm)for advice.

If travelling overseas to countries where certain diseases are a problem, talk to your own doctor or one of the travel medicine centres listed in the telephone book.

For information on immunisation sessions near you, please call your local Council health section, General Practitioner, or immunisation provider.

The National Health and Medical Research Council publishes a schedule of recommended immunisations for children and adults.

Please click on the following link to access the Tasmanian immunisation schedule for 2009.

How can I access the immunisation records for myself or my children?

Immunisation records for children under the age of 8 years can be obtained by phoning the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809.

There is currently no central register for immunisation records for those aged over 8 years. Consult your local doctor or council where the immunisations would have been given.

Copies of records of immunisations given as part of a school-based immunisation program (for example Hepatitis B in Grade 6 or 7) can be obtained from the council in the area where the school was based.

More information on immunisation can be found by phoning the Australian Government’s Immunise Australia Program on 1800 671 811 or by visiting their website (http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/)

The immunisation section within the Public and Environmental Health Service in Tasmania can be contacted via the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738