Immunisation FAQs

At what age can I start my baby's immunisations?

6 weeks old (not a day earlier)

What if my child is ill - should I still attend?

Yes. Colds, coughs or being on antibiotics does not prevent your child from being immunised.

No. If your child is sick with a temperature of 38.5ºC or over, immunisation should be postponed for a few days until your child is feeling better.

What if I miss a session or cannot attend on the organised date?

You may attend a later session at another venue in the same month. You do not have to let Council staff know of the change.

Most vaccines of the same type should be given at lease one month apart. The second and third doses of Infanrix-Hexa must be at least 2 months apart.

Rotavirus vaccine: first dose must be given before the child is 12 weeks old and the third dose must be given before the child is 33 weeks old.

If I'm late for a dose of vaccine do I have to start the course again?

No. Once you start a course of vaccines the doses you have had don't need to be repeated.

What vaccines does Council provide free?

Council provides, free of charge to eligable people, all vaccines recommended by The Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP), against diseases including Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertusis, Haemophilisinfluenze type B, Hepatitis B, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Meningococcal type C, Pneumococcal, Chicken Pox (Varicella) and Rotavirus.

Is there any mercury in any vaccines that my child will be given?

No. Mercury (Thiomersal) has been removed from childhood NIP schedule vaccines since 2000. 

Some vaccines such as pneumococcal, MMR and other live attenuated vaccines have never contained mercury. 

Some vaccines available in Australia still contain very small amounts of mercury, such as some influenza vaccines.