There are diseases which everyone should be protected from and others which will be encountered only by certain groups of people or in certain locations.
Some people may need immunising against certain diseases or may require additional boosters:
- intending mothers
- those with chronic illnesses
- people in occupations, such as nursing
- travellers
Children can be immunised at school if your council runs a school immunisation program. These programs are run in either Grade 6 or 7 and provide vaccinations against Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chicken Pox) and, for girls, Human Ppapilloma Virus (to protect against cervical cancer). Contact the Environmental Health Officer at your local council for advice.
Read more about childhood vaccinations
Boosters are doses of vaccine given after the initial immunisation course. This can often be years later. You may require a booster because immunity to the disease can diminish with time.
Many of these vaccines are provided free-of-charge from your GP or other immunisation provider, although you may have to pay a consultation fee.
Common vaccinations include:
- chicken pox (varicella)
- diphtheria
- haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib)
- hepatitis A
- hepatitis B
- human papilloma virus
- influenza
- measles
- meningococcal infection
- mumps
- polio
- pneumococcal disease
- rotavirus
- rubella (german measles)
- tetanus
- whooping cough (pertussis)
Want more information?
Adult and Child Immunisation Schedule (Feb 2012)
Adult and Child Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Immunisation Schedule (Feb 2012)