Maternal and child health immunisations for 0-4yrs

Vaccinations help you and your children to stay healthy and provide protection against serious diseases and infections. Council provides a convenient immunisation service within our Maternal and Child Health (MCH) visits. 

Find out how to book your child in for their immunisation below.

When should your child get vaccinated?

Please refer to the National Immunisation Program Schedule for details regarding which vaccines your child should take and when.

Questions on vaccinations? Check out Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation or talk to your healthcare professionals.

The table below provides extra information on the key ages when your child will get vaccinations.

Age

Vaccination information

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 6months

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.

 

 

 

Booking process

Step 1.Book an MCH appointment

Please contact the MCH centre to book your child's appointment by calling 03 5471 1822.

Make sure you note the date and time to use in the next step.

Step 2.Setup your online immunisation account 

(NB - You can skip this step if you already have an immunisation account)

Once you have a MCH appointment date secured you will need to book an immunisation via the online portal. 

Council has partnered with Vitavo to manage the immunisation supplies and immunisation records.

The first time you use the Vitavo portal you will need to set up a Vitavo account.

You will then be able to use the system to:

  • book your child’s immunisations
  • see your child’s vaccination summary
  • manage SMS and email reminders and notifications.

Step 3.Book an immunisation 

  • Login to the online portal (your Vitavo account).
  • Choose the matching date and time for your MCH appointment. 
  • You will receive confirmation and reminders by your chosen communication method/s.

Note: We cannot take walk in booking for immunisations. Using the online portal is the method by which we manage our supplies on hand of the vaccines and equipment.

Step 4.Before attending an immunisation session

It is not necessary to take paracetamol or ibuprofen before most vaccinations at Council. Note: Paracetamol is recommended before the Meningococcal B vaccine.

Step 5.On the day of vaccination

  • Make sure everyone attending is feeling fit and well and has maximum temperature of 37.40 C (ie not showing signs of fever).
  • Prepare to stay at the MCH centre for at least 15 minutes after the immunisation so we can observe if there are any reactions.
  • Observe baby for any signs of concern and call Nurse on Call 1300 606 024 if you need further advice or support at home.

Please report any severe reactions to the Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination In the Community (SAEFVIC).

You can contact SAEFVIC by phone 1300 882 924 or email saefvic@mcri.edu.au.

Step 6.After vaccination

You will receive an email from Vitavo outlining post immunisation advice and updates.

Please respect the privacy of our nurses and other families by not taking photos or recordings during immunisation sessions.