About
Vaccination helps protect children against serious illness while their immune systems are still developing.
Vaccinating children also stops the spread of the disease within the community. Babies and older people with chronic (long lasting) illnesses are particularly at risk if they catch infectious diseases.
Influenza, chicken pox, whooping cough and measles still have occasional outbreaks in Australia, mainly introduced from overseas.
Recommended Vaccines For Children
The following immunisation are free through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) as at 1 July 2023 for children aged 4 years and under:
| Disease | Age | Recent changes to the NIP |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken pox (varicella) | 18 months given with Measles, Mumps and Rubella | |
| Diphtheria | 2, 4, 6, 18 months and 4 years given with Tetanus and Whooping cough | From 1 July 2023: hexavalent vaccine Vaxelis® added to the NIP* |
| Influenza | 6 months to less than 5 years funded annually | |
| Hepatitis B | Birth, 2, 4, and 6 months | From 1 July 2023: hexavalent vaccine Vaxelis® added to the NIP* |
| Haemophilus influenza type B | 2, 4, 6 and 18 months | From 1 July 2018: Booster at 18 months (was 12 months) From 1 July 2023: hexavalent vaccine Vaxelis® added to the NIP* |
| Measles | 12 months given with Mumps and Rubella. 18 months given with Mumps, Rubella and Chicken pox | |
| Meningococcal ACWY | 12 months | From 1 July 2018: Meningococcal ACWY replacing Meningococcal C |
| Mumps | 12 months given with Measles and Rubella. 18 months given with Measles, Rubella and Chicken pox | |
| Pneumococcal | 2, 4, 12 months and 6 months, 4 years for children with certain medical conditions | From 1 July 2018: Now a booster at 12 months (was previously at 6 months) |
| Polio | 2, 4, 6 months and 4 years | From 1 July 2023: hexavalent vaccine Vaxelis® added to the NIP* |
| Rotavirus | 2 and 4 months | |
| Rubella | 12 months given with Mumps and Measles. 18 months given with Measles, Mumps and Chicken pox | |
| Tetanus | 2, 4, 6, 18 months and 4 years given with Diphtheria and Whooping cough | From 1 July 2023: hexavalent vaccine Vaxelis® added to the NIP* |
| Whooping cough (pertussis) | 2, 4, 6, 18 months and 4 years given with Diphtheria and Tetanus | From 1 July 2023: hexavalent vaccine Vaxelis® added to the NIP* |
In South Australia (State based Immunisation Program)
| Disease | Age | Recent changes to State based Immunisation Program |
|---|---|---|
| Meningococcal B | 6 weeks, 4 months and 12 months | From 1 October 2018: Meningococcal B available for children aged 12 months and under |
Indigenous Children (NIP)
| Disease | Age | Recent changes to NIP |
|---|---|---|
| Meningococcal B | 2, 4 and 12 months (Indigenous children) 6 months (Indigenous children with certain medical conditions) | From 1 July 2020: Men B funded at 2, 4 and 12 months for all Australian Indigenous children |
| Pneumococcal disease | 6 months and 4 years (Indigenous children living in WA, NT, SA and QLD) | |
| Hepatitis A | 18 months and 4 years (Indigenous children living in WA, NT, SA and QLD) |
*Vaxelis® is used against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and invasive infections caused by by Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTPa-hepB-IPV-Hib) for children at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Vaxelis® is now available as an alternative NIP-funded vaccine to Infanrix® hexa, and not as a replacement vaccine. There is no preferential recommendation between the use of these two products.
Vaccine Preventable Diseases In Children
Chicken pox (varicella)
Chicken pox can be transmitted when an infectious person coughs or sneezes and another person breathes in the virus particles. It can also be spread by touching the fluid from an infected person’s blisters. Chicken pox presents itself as an itchy, blistery rash and a fever, headache and sore throat. The symptoms are generally mild in children but can be quite severe in adults, newborn babies and pregnant people.
Cause
Chicken pox is caused by the varicella zoster virus. This virus stays in your body and can be re-activated later in life to cause shingles.
How serious is the risk?
Chicken pox is a serious disease as it can cause scarring, pneumonia (infection causing inflammation of air sacs in the lungs), brain damage and death. Children who are vaccinated can still catch the disease however, the symptoms are milder and the recovery is faster.
Children can act as a reservoir to adults, pregnant people and newborn babies. If a pregnant person develops chicken pox, her baby may be born with damage to the skin, eyes, arms and legs and brain.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria can be spread by breathing in the virus particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by touching a surface with virus particles on it. It can also be acquired by touching a diphtheria infected wound.
Diphtheria is rare in Australia due to immunisation programs for children, but is still common in underdeveloped countries without routine immunisation.
Cause
Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
How serious is the risk?
The bacteria can produce a toxin that can cause life threatening heart failure and paralysis. Even with treatment 1 in 10 people with respiratory diphtheria will die. Children are at particular risk of death from diphtheria particularly if they are unvaccinated.
Influenza
Influenza can spread from person to person through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can also catch it by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your mouth or nose. The symptoms are more severe than the common cold with symptoms including fever, chills, headache, sore throat, runny nose, cough, body aches, loss of appetite and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea. Children are more likely to catch influenza than the general community with 10-40% children affected annually compared to 5-20% of the general community.
Cause
Influenza is caused by influenza viruses types A, B or C. Types A and B make up annual vaccinations as they cause the majority of disease.
How serious is the risk?
In healthy children, influenza can be much like a bad cold however, it can be associated with more serious illness especially in very young children and those with chronic (long lasting) medical conditions. Influenza can lead to bronchitis (inflammation of the airways that carry air to your lungs), croup (swelling of the windpipe and voice box leading to a barking cough), pneumonia (infection causing inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs), ear infections, heart and organ damage, brain inflammation, brain damage and death.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A can be transmitted by consuming food or water contaminated with hepatitis A or by direct contact with an infectious person. In young children, there will either be no symptoms or the symptoms will be mild. The symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting, feeling unwell, tummy pain, losing weight, joint aches, yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Cause
Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus. It was common amongst Aboriginal and/or Torres Stait Islander children however, since the NIP funded vaccination of Aboriginal and/or Torres Stait Islander children against hepatitis A, the incidence has decreased considerably.
How serious is the risk?
Complications from hepatitis A are uncommon. Rarely, it can cause sudden onset and severe inflammation of the liver where the death rate can be as high as 60%.
Hepatitis B
A child can get hepatitis B by contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who has hepatitis B. The most common route of infection is by mother to child so an infected pregnant woman can pass it on to her newborn baby. The virus travels through the blood to the liver. Children may not have symptoms. If they do have symptoms, they can include loss of appetite and energy, stomach pain and vomiting, fever, rash, dark urine and change in poo colour, painful or swollen joints and yellowing of the skin.
Cause
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus.
How serious is the risk?
Hepatitis B is a serious condition that causes inflammation of the liver. Most people recover completely, but some have long lasting disease throughout life which can lead to cirrhosis (liver damage and scarring), liver cancer and death. Children who have been infected with hepatitis B are more likely to have liver disease later in life.
Haemophilus influenzae type B
Haemophilus influenzae type B can be transmitted by breathing in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by touching a surface that an infected person has coughed or sneezed on. the symptoms of haemophilus influenzae type B can be very serious and include: fever, severe headache, stiff neck, fits or seizures, severe drowsiness, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, cough and breathing problems, restlessness, drooling and joint pain. The symptoms can become severe very quickly and may need urgent medical care.
Cause
Haemophilus influenzae type B is caused by the bacterium haemophilus influenzae type B.
Routine vaccination in children against this bacterium commenced in 1993 and now the incidence has been reduce by over 95%.
How serious is the risk?
Haemophilus influenzae B is a very serious disease which can cause brain damage, deafness and death. It can be particularly life-threatening in children under two years of age.
Measles
Measles is highly contagious and 90% of unvaccinated people who come in contact with the virus will develop the disease. Measles can be transmitted by breathing in the virus particles in the air from an infected person’s cough or sneeze or touching a virus contaminated surface and then touching your mouth or nose. The symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, tiredness, feeling unwell, dry cough, sore, red eyes and a red, non-itchy rash.
Cause
Measles is caused by the measles virus.
Measles is found in countries that do not conduct routine immunisations in children.
How serious is the risk?
Measles can cause rare but serious complications. Measles can lead to pneumonia (infection causing inflammation of air sacs in the lungs), swelling of the brain which can cause brain damage, infection of the middle ear and death.
Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease is transmitted from one person to another by close, prolonged and intimate contact (like living in the same house or kissing). The spread of the disease is through the infected secretions from the back of the nose and throat. Infants and young children under two years of age are at particular risk of the disease. They can become extremely unwell very quickly. The symptoms can include a rash of purple pin prick spots, fever, headache, neck stiffness, intolerance to bright light, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea and feeling extremely sick. The symptoms can become life threatening within hours.
Cause
Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, the most common types seen in Australia are B, W and Y.
How serious is the risk?
Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious life-threatening condition. People can die very quickly. Meningococcal disease can cause severe infections of the blood, brain and spinal cord. About 10-30% of children who survive the disease develop permanent complications such as limb deformity, skin scarring deafness and problems of the nervous system.
The incidence of Meningococcal B disease is four times more prevalent amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged less than 2 years of age, compared to non-Indigenous children of the same age.
Mumps
Mumps is spread by close contact with an infected person and by breathing in the virus particles from the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The symptoms include fever, swelling of the face, fatigue, aches and pains, loss of appetite and painful chewing and swallowing.
Cause
Mumps is spread by the mumps virus.
How serious is the risk?
Mumps is a serious disease because it can lead to inflammation of the brain, inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, inflammation of the heart, infertility and deafness due to damage to the nerves.
Pneumococcal disease
Pneumococcal disease can be spread by breathing in the bacterium from the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can also be spread by kissing. Babies and children 5 years and under are at high risk of infection. The symptoms of pneumococcal disease depend on the part of the body that has been infected. For more information see here.
Cause
Pneumococcal disease is spread by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.
How serious is the risk?
Pneumococcal disease is serious and can lead to pneumonia (infection causing inflammation of air sacs in the lungs), meningitis (swelling and infection of the brain), septicaemia (infection of the blood), coma and death.
Polio
Polio spreads when you come in contact with infected poo or infected saliva. Children under five years of age are at high risk of developing the disease if they are unvaccinated. The symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, stiffness of the back and neck, severe muscle pain and paralysis.
Due to routine vaccination, Australia has been polio free since the year 2000.
Cause
Polio is caused by the polio virus.
How serious is the risk?
Polio is a very serious disease that can lead to long term disability and death. Most people will recover but some people will have long term damage to their muscles and nerves which can cause lifelong disability.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is transmitted by coming into contact with the poo of an infected person, like changing an infected child’s nappy. It can also be spread by close contact with an infected person or by consuming infected food or water. Babies and children under 5 years of age are at high risk of developing the disease. The symptoms include vomiting, severe diarrhoea, dry mouth and drowsiness.
Rotavirus vaccines are given orally by a small amount of liquid being squeezed into the mouth.
Cause
Rotavirus is caused by a virus called rotavirus.
How serious is the risk?
Rotavirus is serious as it can cause dehydration, shock and sometimes death.
Rubella (German Measles)
Rubella is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. An infected pregnant woman can pass the virus on to her baby through the bloodstream.
The symptoms of Rubella are generally mild and can include mild fever, rash, swollen lymph glands, joint pain, runny nose and sore red eyes.
Cause
Rubella is caused by the rubella virus.
How serious is the risk?
Although symptoms in most people are generally mild, if a pregnant woman passes rubella onto her unborn baby, the baby can be born with hearing and vision problems, heart problems, growth problems, brain damage and swelling in the brain, liver or lungs.
Tetanus
Tetanus can be transmitted by spores of tetanus bacteria in the environment, including the soil, dust and manure. They can enter the body through breaks in the skin caused by objects like nails or needles, burns and wounds contaminated with dirt or faeces.
Tetanus is rare in Australia due to the high vaccination rates.
Cause
Tetanus (also called lockjaw) is an infection caused by the bacterium called Clostridium tetani.
How serious is the risk?
Serious health problems can occur from tetanus like tightening of the vocal cords, broken bones, blood clots in the lungs and serious lung infections like pneumonia. In Australia, the case fatality rate is 2%.
Whooping cough (pertussis)
Pertussis is highly contagious and spreads by airborne droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs. The droplets can be breathed in by others or passed on to others by touching a contaminated surface. Symptoms can include fever, runny nose and sneezing, and a cough with a long whooping sound.
Cause
Whooping cough is caused by the bacterium bordetella pertussis.
How serious is the risk?
Babies are at greatest risk of severe disease and death from pertussis. Children can pass on pertussis to babies. Children may suffer with the persistent cough which can linger for 3 months.
Severe complications can include pneumonia (infection causing inflammation of air sacs in the lungs), lack of oxygen to the brain and death.
- Department of Health Victoria Why is Immunisation Important Reviewed 23 March 2021 (Accessed 1 September 2021)
- Australian Immunisation Handbook, Australian Government Department of Health, Canberra, 2018, immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au
- Australian Government Department of Health National Immunisation Program Schedule for all Australians 1 July 2020
- NCIRS Meningococcal vaccines for Australians Fact sheet 1 July 2020
- NCIRS Meningococcal B A guide for healthcare providers to support conversations about meningococcal B vaccination Last updated April 2021
- Royal Children’s Hospital Kid’s Health Information Fact Sheet Influenza Reviewed May 2018
Have Questions?
If you are unsure about what vaccinations your child should receive you can:
- Visit health.gov.au/immunisation
- Make an appointment with your GP or other vaccination provider
- Call 1800 671 811 for the National Immunisation Program Information Line
Immunisation is still the safest and most effective way to protect our children from harmful infectious diseases. For more information check the Australian National Immunisation Program schedule.