Immunisation for adults
Adult immunisation schedule
Council offers the purchase of some vaccines to adults, as well as the free adult vaccines to those who meet the eligibility criteria.
Vaccines listed below are available by appointment at all Council immunisation sessions.
Merri-bek City Council offers EFTPOS at sessions for vaccines requiring payment.
Who provides adult immunisation services?
Council and general practitioners are the main providers of immunisation to the community.
Council holds immunisation sessions for adults, babies and children and secondary school students.
Influenza
Council offers free Influenza vaccination (subject to availability) to:
- All children aged 6 months to under 5 years of age.
- Aged 5 years and older and over with conditions that can cause severe illness following influenza infection
- All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older
- All pregnant women during any stage of pregnancy, and
- Those aged 65 years and older.
This is an annual seasonal vaccine and availability is generally between April and December each year.
It is recommended that you contact us on 9240 1111 if you require the influenza vaccine outside these months to confirm if it is available.
Children aged under 9 having the vaccine for the first time require 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart. All other age groups require a single dose only. Please contact us for further information.
Whooping cough (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)
Free vaccine for the following:
From 20 weeks of pregnancy
The diptheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine is highly recommended and available free of charge to all pregnant women, from 20 weeks.
Having this vaccine during pregnancy enables antibodies to pass across the placenta providing much needed whooping cough protection to newborns in their first few months of life.
For this reason it is recommended in each pregnancy, regardless of how long it has been since the pregnant woman last received the vaccine.
Partners of pregnant women
Who have not received the vaccine in the last 10 years should receive the vaccine while their partner is in their 3rd trimester, to ensure they have developed immunity before the birth of their baby. The vaccine takes 2 weeks to work.
Parents of newborn babies (including guardians, adoptive and foster parents) born on or after the 1 June 2015 but before the child is 6 months old:
Should get the vaccines as soon as possible following the birth, if not vaccinated in pregnancy or in the previous 10 years, to protect them from catching and passing the infection onto their baby.
For more information visit information for parents - free whooping cough vaccine.
This vaccine is also available for $46 per dose (price at 1/7/2020) for all those who will be in close contact with newborn babies but do not qualify for the free vaccine program. Ideally it is received at least 2 weeks before beginning of close contact to allow the vaccine to work.
Meningococcal vaccines
Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. There are 13 known sub-types and of these, 5 are currently vaccine preventable (B and A, C, W, Y).
- Meningococcal B vaccine is available for purchase by anyone wishing to reduce their risk on invasive meningococcal disease. Adults require 2 doses 8 weeks apart. The cost of the vaccine is $130 per dose (1/7/2020).
- Meningococcal ACWY vaccine can be purchased at anytime by people wishing to reduce their risk on invasive meningococcal disease. The cost of the vaccine is $72 per dose (1/7/2020)
- People with specific at risk conditions can receive these vaccines free
Hepatitis B
Offered free to at risk adults.
Immunisation against Hepatitis B for adults is also available for purchase.
A 3-dose course is required, and must adhere to minimum time spacing between doses. We would advise you of these dates at the session. This vaccine costs $24 per dose (price at 1/7/2020).
Measles, mumps and rubella
Council offers free measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination for all adults born in or after 1966, and aged 20 years or older without evidence of two documented doses of valid MMR vaccine or without serological evidence of immunity.
If two doses are required a minimum 4 weeks gap between the two doses is needed.
Please note for women planning pregnancy, that pregnancy is not advised for 4 weeks following vaccination.
Merri-bek City Council can only supply this vaccine to the above people and do not sell it to the general public.
Chickenpox
2 doses required if the vaccine has never been taken before and therhe is no history of chickenpox disease. A minimum 4 weeks gap between the two doses is required.
Please note for women planning pregnancy, that pregnancy is not advised for 4 weeks following vaccination.
This vaccine costs $72 per dose (price at 1/7/2020).
Pneumococcal
There have been recent changes to the National Immunisation Program regarding pneumococcal. As of July 2020 the following is available free of charge:
- Children, adolescents and adults aged > 12 months with newly diagnosed risk conditions - 1 dose of Prevenar 13. Followed 2 to 12 months later with 2 doses of Pneumovax 23 at least 5 years apart.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or over - 1 dose of Prevenar 13. Followed 2 to 12 months later with 2 doses of Pneumovax 23 at least 5 years apart
- Healthy non-indigenous adults aged 70 years or older - 1 dose of Prevenar 13
All previous doses of Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23 are counted towards the number of lifetime doses.
Merri-bek City Council can only supply these vaccines to the above people and do not sell them to the general public.
Shingles
Shingles vaccine can not be given at Council. Please contact your GP.
Payment for vaccines
Merri-bek City Council offers EFTPOS at sessions for vaccines requiring payment.
What happens at an immunisation session?
At an immunisation session you will:
- be given a pre-immunisation checklist
- pay
- be told which vaccines you will be given on the day and if you need to come back on other dates.
- have an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns with your Immunisation Nurse before consenting to immunisation
Injections are given in the arms.
Once you have been vaccinated you will need to stay for 15 minutes. This is in case you have a reaction. An adverse reaction to immunisation will usually happen within a few minutes of receiving the injection.
It is advisable not to drive for 30 minutes after receiving a vaccination.
If you have a cold, cough, sore throat or fever you should postpone your immunisation visit. If you have been unwell and are now on antibiotics, you can still be immunised.
If you have any questions, contact Council.