Immunisations for 0-4yrs

6 to 8 weeks old

Children usually receive their first vaccinations between six and eight weeks old.

We recommend coordinating the first vaccination as part a six week checkup with your GP.

Three vaccines are recommended for your baby at two months of age (can be given from six weeks). These include:

• a combined vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Hib, polio and hepatitis B
• a vaccine that protects against pneumococcal disease
• a vaccine that protects against rotavirus.

You can find more information on theoral rotavirus vaccinefrom the Better Health website.

• The Meningococcal ACWY and Meningococcal B vaccines are recommended from 6 weeks of age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children as part of the National Immunisation program.

From 4 months

Your child should receive their second set of vaccines at four months old.

Three vaccines are recommended for your baby at four months of age. These include:

• a combined vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Hib, polio and hepatitis B
• a vaccine that protects against pneumococcal disease
• a vaccine that protects against rotavirus.

From 6 months

There must be at least eight weeks gap between your baby's four months and six months vaccines.

• At six months, it is recommended that your baby has another dose of the combined vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Hib, polio, and hepatitis B.
• It is also recommended that your baby gets an influenza vaccine before the influenza season. Influenza vaccines are free for all children aged six months to under five years, and can be given at the same time as age-specific vaccines.

From 12 months

• At 12 months, three age-specific vaccines are recommended for your child. These include:

  • a vaccine that protects against meningococcal disease

  • It is also recommended that your child isvaccinated against influenzaevery year before the influenza season. Influenza vaccines are free for all children aged six months to under five years and can be given at the same time as age-specific vaccines.

  • a vaccine that protects against pneumococcal disease

  • a combined vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

From 18 months

• At 18 months, three age-specific vaccines are recommended for your child. These include:

  • a combined vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox)
  • a combined vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)
  • a vaccine that protects against Hib.

• It is also recommended that your child is vaccinated against influenza every year before the influenza season. Influenza vaccines are free for all children aged six months to under five years, and can be given at the same time as age-specific vaccines.

From 4 years old

Your child will receive their last childhood immunisations at four years old.

Vaccinations from 12 years old are part of the secondary school immunisation program.

• At four years, it is recommended that your child has another dose of the combined vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio.
• It is also recommended that your child is vaccinated against influenza before the influenza season. Influenza vaccines are free for all children aged six months to under five years, and can be given at the same time as age-specific vaccines.
• You can get your child's Immunisation History Certificate after their final childhood vaccinations.

Extra vaccinations

Extra vaccines are given to children with certain medical risk conditions. Talk to our Immunisation team if your child:

• is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• is premature, born on or before 32 weeks
• has low birth weight (under 2000g)
• has chronic medical risk conditions.