Childhood immunisation

Council conducts free immunisation sessions each month at different locations in Merri-bek for babies aged from 6 weeks old (not a day earlier) to children aged 4 years.

At an immunisation session for your baby or child you will need to present your Child Health Record and your Medicare card if you have one.

You will be given a pre-immunisation checklist on arrival. You'll also be advised when you need to come back or make an appointment for the next vaccine.

You will have an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns with your Immunisation Nurse before consenting to immunisation.

Children under 12 months of age will be given injections in the legs and 12 months of age or older are given injections in the arms. Injections are given while you hold your baby. You may choose to bottle or breast feed your child.

After your child has been vaccinated you need to stay for about 15 minutes. This is a precautionary measure in case your baby has a reaction. An adverse reaction to immunisation is rare but will usually happen within a few minutes of receiving the injection.

If you or family are displaying any symptoms of a cold, cough, fever, sore throat or vomiting and diarrhoea your visit should be postponed until you are well.

If you have any questions, contact Council or your Maternal and Child Health Nurse.

Which free vaccines are provided to my child?

See immunisation schedule and vaccine eligibility criteria and immunisation for children for up-to-date information on which free vaccines are provided at different ages.

Flu vaccine - Available between April & December each year

The free flu vaccine is available for children aged 6 months to under 5 years.

Any child who is under the age of 9 receiving the flu vaccine for the first time must have 2 doses, a month apart, as a primary course.

Free flu vaccine is also available for:

People aged 5 years and over who have a medical risk factor that increases their risk of complications from influenza
Aboriginal people aged 15 years and over
Pregnant women any time during pregnancy
Adults aged 65 years and older

Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent Influenza and its complications. The period of peak Influenza circulation is typically June to September however the past 12 months have seen a significant increase in cases across all months. For this reason it is never too late to have the flu vaccine.

Vaccine protection is generally expected to last all season but the highest protection occurs within the 3 to 4 months after vaccination.

The flu vaccine is highly recommended but is not linked to any payments or benefits.

For any further queries please contact the Immunisation team on 9240 1111 or email Merri-bek immunisation.

12 month immunisations

Maternal antibodies given to your baby during pregnancy are still in their immune system until they turn one.

It is recommended that the 12 month vaccinations are not given until the baby's first birthday. If given earlier, the vaccinations may not work as well as they should and may need to be repeated.

If it is necessary for you to attend before your child is 12 months, this will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you have any concerns regarding this please contact us on 9240 1111 and follow the prompts.

Booster immunisation for 4-year-old children

It is strongly recommended that this booster is given as close to 4 years as possible. This is to reduce the likelihood of a localised skin reaction and to prolong the length of protection throughout kindergarten and primary school. Individual cases will be considered for children aged 3.5 years and older if they require the vaccine before they turn 4.

The booster immunisation is considered overdue at 4 years and 1 month.

Pneumococcal

All children receive 3 doses of Prevenar 13 at 2, 4 and 12 months on the National Immunisation Program.

Children less that 12 months old who have certain risk conditions also receive a 4th dose at 6 months. This is followed by dose of Pneumovax 23 at 4 years and then a final dose at least 5 years later.

Children, adolescents and adults aged 12 months or older with newly diagnosed risk conditions should receive 1 dose of Prevenar 13, followed 2 to 12 months later with 2 doses of Pneumovax23 at least 5 years apart.

Meningococcal B vaccine

From 1 July 2020 the Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine will be administered to indigenous children <2 years and some at risk people.

Meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero) is available to purchase from 6 weeks of age (commencing 1 July 2020) for anyone wishing to reduce the risk of invasive meningococcal B disease and can be given at the same time as other routine vaccines, or at a separate appointment.

Children under 4 are recommended to receive paracetamol with every dose of Meningococcal B. This is because of the increased risk of fever associated with receiving Meningococcal B.

Give the first dose of paracetamol within 30 minutes before, or as soon as practicable after receiving the vaccine.
This should be followed by 2 more doses of paracetamol given 4-6 hours apart regardless of whether the child has a fever.

It is important that parents buy paracetamol for their child prior to receiving the Meningococcal B immunisation.

The vaccine cost for Meningococcal B is $130 per dose* by Eftpos (price 1/7/2020). You DO NOT require a script from your GP and you can’t bring your own vaccine to the appointment for administration by our nurses.

Depending on the age of your child when you start this vaccine depends on how many doses are required:

6 weeks to 5 months = 2 doses 8 weeks apart, plus a 3rd dose from 12 months old or 6 months from last dose (whichever is later).
6 months to 11 months = 2 doses 8 weeks apart, plus a 3rd dose from 12 months old or 8 weeks from last dose (whichever is later).
12 months plus = 2 doses 8 weeks apart
Please add a note in the comments section of your routine vaccine booking if you wish to have this vaccine on the same day as other vaccines, use the drop down option on the booking form to alert us, or call us on 9240 1111 to add. Alternatively book this on a separate day, preferably 3 days or longer from any other vaccine.

* This vaccine is free for:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants at their 6-8 week, 4 and 12-month visits
All indigenous children aged <2 years (catch up program until June 2023)
People of any age with certain risk conditions
Please call 9240 1111 and follow the prompts to immunisation to book the free vaccine in OR add in the notes if attending for another routine vaccine.

Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine

From 1 July 2018 the Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine will be administered to children at 12 months of age on the National Immunisation Program.

Moreland City Council Immunisation Service can now administer the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine to anyone from 6 weeks of age wishing to reduce the risk of invasive meningococcal A,C,W & Y disease and can be given at the same time as other routine vaccines, or as a separate appointment. The scheduled 12-month Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine is still required.

The vaccine cost for Meningococcal ACWY is $72* per dose by Eftpos. You DO NOT require a script from your GP and you can’t bring your own vaccine to the appointment for administration by our nurses.

Depending on the age of your child when you start this vaccine depends on how many doses are required:

6 weeks to <6 months = 2 paid doses 8 weeks apart plus free dose at 12 months or 8 weeks from last dose (whichever is later) as part of national immunisation program.
6 months to <12 months = 1 paid dose plus free dose at 12 months or 8 weeks from last dose (whichever is later) as part of national immunisation program.
>12 months and adults = single dose

Please note that all children who were 12 months on or after 1 July 2018 will have received this vaccine free of charge at their 12-month visit and don’t require an additional dose.

All older children will have received meningococcal C vaccine as their routine 12-month vaccine. They may wish to have a single dose of this paid vaccine to give protection against the A, W & Y strains.

Please add a note in the comments section of your routine vaccine booking if you wish to have this vaccine on the same day as other vaccines, use the drop down option on the booking form to alert us, or call us on 9240 1111 to add. Alternatively book this on a separate day, preferably 3 days or longer from any other vaccine.

*This vaccine is free for:

All adolescents in year 10 as part of the secondary school program. This is generally administered at school however you are welcome to attend council instead or may need to have it as you were absent. Please book your appointment as a secondary school vaccine.
All adolescents aged 15-19 who have not received their meningococcal ACWY vaccine through the year 10 school immunisation program.
All children who have NEVER received a dose of ANY meningococcal containing vaccine before they turn 20 years old.
People of any age with certain risk conditions

Unless you are currently in year 10 please call 9240 1111 and follow the prompts to immunisation to book this as a catch up.

Chickenpox vaccine booster dose

A second dose of chickenpox vaccine is recommended by the manufacturer to increase protection. This can be purchased for $72 (price 1/7/2020). Please add a note in the comments section of your routine vaccine booking if you wish to have this vaccine on the same day as other vaccines, use the drop down option on the booking form to alert us, or call us on 9240 1111 to add. Alternatively book this on a separate day. A 4 week minimum gap is required between live vaccines.

What happens if a vaccination is overdue?

A vaccination is considered overdue if not administered by 1 month after the due date.

Parents may be contacted by Moreland City Council or Australian Immunisation Register at this time. You may also receive a letter if you are currently receiving benefits and need to catch up vaccines in order to continue receiving payments.

Most of the immunisations on the Immunise Australia Program are linked to family assistance payments, including the Child Care Benefit. Children need to be up to date with immunisation or have an approved medical exemption. Please note we are unable to sign medical exemption paperwork.

In January 2016, the No Jab, No Play and No Jab, No Pay legislation were introduced. No Jab, No Play is a Victorian State initiative linked to childcare and kindergarten enrolment. No Jab, No Pay is a national initiative linked to financial rebates. Both aim to encourage families to complete the childhood immunisation schedule and increase overall immunisation rates across Victoria and Australia.

Catch up immunisation sessions

Council conducts catch up immunisations for:

All children and teens up to 20 years old (vaccines must commence before the 20th birthday but can be concluded after the 20th birthday),
All refugees and humanitarian entrants including asylum seekers and
vulnerable citizens.

Medicare is not required.

Whether you are newly arrived in Australia or have missed previous vaccinations, free catch up immunisation is available at Merri-bek City Council.

Please contact us on 9240 1202 or 9240 2253 to arrange an appointment to discuss missed vaccines. Normally we can discuss this with you over the phone but in some cases you may be required to bring your child’s records to the Moreland Civic Centre. This helps us plan which vaccines are required to bring your child up to date.

Overseas immunisation histories

If you need help translating your child’s immunisation record, the Department of Social Services have a free translating service that you may be able to access. For further information, see free translating service.