Childhood Immunisation

Immunisation strengthens the body’s immune system – its natural defence
mechanism – enabling it to resist specific infections. Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting children (and adults) against disease.

Vaccines are injections or oral dosage forms containing inactivated germs or parts of germs. Immunisation with vaccines (vaccination) prepares and strengthens the body’s immune system for fighting specific germs, before it comes into contact with those germs. It gives people increased protection against serious and life-threatening infections.

Some infections that immunisation can prevent

Chicken pox (varicella) - a viral infection that causes an itchy, blistering skin rash and can lead to severe complications. It may reoccur later in life as shingles.

Diphtheria - a bacterial infection that causes a membrane to grow in the throat, leading to breathing difficulties. It can also cause heart and nerve damage and lead to death.

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) - a bacterial infection that can affect the brain, throat, lungs, joints or skin and lead to death. It occurs mostly in children under 2 years.

Hepatitis B - a viral infection that affects the liver and can lead to liver failure or cancer.

HPV - a sexually transmitted viral infection that can lead to cervical cancer and genital warts.

Measles - a viral infection that causes fever, rash, runny nose, cough and conjunctivitis. It can lead to ear, lung and brain infections and death.

Meningococcal disease type C - a severe and often fatal bacterial infection of the blood and/or brain that can develop very rapidly.

Mumps - a viral infection that causes swollen salivary glands and can lead to severe complications.

Pertussis (whooping cough) - a bacterial infection that can cause a severe cough, lung infection, brain damage and death.

Pneumococcal disease - a potentially fatal bacterial infection of the brain, blood or lungs.

Poliomyelitis - a viral infection that can paralyse parts of the body, including the breathing and swallowing muscles, and lead to death.

Rotavirus - a viral infection that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting in infants and young children and can lead to death.

Rubella (German measles) - a viral infection that causes swollen glands, joint pain and a rash. Women who get rubella during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy are at risk of having a baby with significant abnormalities.

Tetanus (lockjaw) - a severe and often fatal bacterial infection that affects the nervous system, causing severe muscle spasms.

Who needs immunisation?

Health authorities recommend immunisation for al children. The advantages of immunisation far outweigh the risks of serious adverse effects. Childhood vaccinations are available to al children free-of-charge through the National Immunisation Program from doctors, immunisation clinics, some hospitals, local councils and Aboriginal health clinics. To reduce the number of injections needed, a range of products containing combinations of vaccines are available - ask a doctor or immunisation clinic.

Pharmacy Self Care is a program of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Adverse effects of immunisation

Common adverse effects of immunisation are swelling, rednes and pain at the injection site and mild fever. Most adverse effects only last a short time and the child recovers without any problems. Ask a doctor or immunisation clinic about adverse effects of immunisation.

Paracetamol can reduce fever and relieve discomfort, helping a child to settle after immunisation.

Keep a record

Each time a child is immunised, that information should be recorded in the Personal Health Record given to parents by the hospital or birth centre when a baby is born. Some states and territories ask for a record of a child’s immunisation before the child can start day care or school.

The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR - Medicare Australia) also records details of immunisations given to children who live in Australia. To obtain your child’s vaccination history from ACIR phone 180 653 809.

Note: A financial payment is available from the Family Assistance Office for families with children aged 18-24 months who are fully immunised.

For more information

Immunise Australia - phone 180 671 81 or website www.immunise.health.gov.au.

Your local Baby, Child or Infant Health Centre or Service - listed in the white pages of the phone book.

Australian Childhood Immunisation Register - phone 180 653 809.

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets - your pharmacist can advise on availability.

NPS Medicines Line - phone 130 88 763 Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm EST.

The Poisons Information Centre - in case of poisoning phone 131 126 from anywhere in Australia.

Pharmacy Self Care Support - phone 130 369 772 and ask for the Pharmacy Self Care Field Officer.

Pharmacists are medicines experts. Ask a pharmacist for advice when choosing a medicine.

Pharmacy Self Care is committed to providing current and reliable health information.
Information in this card was current at the time of printing: Published November 2007.
Information expires November 2008.