Answers about immunisation

Your questions about immunisation, answered.

Why is immunisation important?

Immunisation is one of the best ways you can protect yourself, your children and future generations from infectious diseases. In other words, if you vaccinate, you help wipe out diseases that could spread now and into the future.

By making sure you and your family are fully vaccinated (by following the National Immunisation Program Schedule set by the Australian Government), you are not only looking after your own family but also protecting vulnerable people in your community. The more people who are vaccinated, the fewer people will be infected, and the less widely a disease can spread.

Immunisation saves lives. As recently as the 1950s, thousands of children died every year from diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis). Luckily, it is rare for anyone in Australia to die from these infectious diseases now, thanks to the major vaccination programs introduced in the 1960s and 1970s, which continue today.

Learn more about immunisation and why it’s important at Better Health Channel.

Immunisation resources

All vaccines in use in Australia provide benefits that far outweigh any risks. Each has gone through rigorous testing and development to assess potential risks and side effects, and adverse events are closely monitored.

The following resources provide comprehensive information on the safety of vaccines used in Australia:

Immunisation records and policies

We record all immunisations given at our sessions on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Please allow 24-48 hours after the session you attended for records to be updated.

The quickest way to access immunisation records is through your Medicare account linked to MyGov, through the Medicare Express Plus app, or by calling AIR on 1800 653 809.

If you are unable to access your immunisation history statement, you can apply online to receive a copy from us:

Apply to access immunisation records

Note: processing times of up to 5 business days may apply.

Travel vaccines

Council immunisation services are not authorised to provide advice on vaccines needed for travel to destinations outside Australia. Many recommended vaccines are not given as part of the standard NIP schedule, and may require specialist knowledge. You can contact us on 8470 8562 or email immunise@darebin.vic.gov.au for recommendations for travel medicine consultants.

Childhood services and benefit payments

Childhood services

Your child’s immunisation history status can affect their eligibility to enrol in childcare, kindergarten, and other early childhood services.

All parents or guardians who want to enrol their child at an early childhood service in Victoria must provide evidence that their child is:

fully immunised for their age according to the National Immunisation Program schedule, or
have an approved medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

Learn more about immunisation requirements for childhood services at Better Health Channel.

We can help get your child’s immunisations up to date - contact us on 03 8470 8562 or immunise@darebin.vic.gov.au before attending an immunisation session so we can help you make a catch-up plan.

Payments

Your child’s immunisation history can affect certain Government payments.

To meet immunisation requirements for Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy, your child must:

meet the Childhood schedule on the Department of Health’s National Immunisation Program Schedule, or
be on a suitable catch-up schedule in line with the Department of Health’s current Australian Immunisation Handbook recommendations, or
have an approved medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

Learn more about immunisation requirements for payments at Services Australia.

We can help get your child’s immunisations up to date - contact us on 03 8470 8562 or email immunise@darebin.vic.gov.au before attending an immunisation session so we can develop a catch-up plan.