Immunisation age and vaccine

Immunisation is one of the most widely effective ways to prevent disease.

Getting immunised at the right time helps protect your family and your community from vaccine preventable diseases.

The immunisations listed in this table are offered as a free service and are part of the National Immunisation Program. 

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Age  Disease Vaccine Brand Common reactions
Birth Hepatitis B H-B-VaxII Paediatric or Engerix Paediatric Mild temperature, pain at the injection site
2 months (from 6 weeks) Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Infanrixhexa or Vaxelis Mild temperature, pain at the injection site, drowsiness, irritability/crying
Pneumococcal Prevenar 13 Mild temperature, pain at the injection site
Rotavirus Rotarix Irritability or mild, temporary diarrhea or vomiting
Meningococcal B (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants only) Bexsero Fever needing paracetamol
4 months
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)  Infanrixhexa or Vaxelis Mild temperature, pain at the injection site, drowsiness, irritability/crying
Pneumococcal Prevenar 13  Mild temperature, pain at the injection site
Rotavirus Rotarix Irritability or mild, temporary diarrhea or vomiting

Meningococcal B (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants only)

Bexsero Fever needing paracetamol
6 months Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Infanrixhexa or Vaxelis Mild temperature, pain at the injection site, drowsiness, irritability/crying
12 months Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) M-M-R II/Priorix 

About 7 to 10 days after vaccination: fever (can be over 39°C), faint red non-infectious rash, drowsiness, runny nose, cough or puffy eyes, swollen salivary glands

Very rarely a low platelet count causing bleeding and bruising

Meningococcal ACWY Nimenrix  Mild temperature, loss of appetite, irritability/crying pain at the injection site 
Pneumococcal  Prevenar 13  Mild temperature, pain at the injection site

Meningococcal B 

(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants only)

Bexsero Fever needing paracetamol
18 months Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox) (MMRV) Priorix-Tetra or ProQuad 

About 7 to 10 days after vaccination: fever (can be over 39 °C), faint red non-infectious rash, drowsiness, runny nose, cough or puffy eyes, swollen salivary glands

About five to 26 days after vaccination: mild rash like chickenpox

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis Infanrix or Tripacel Mild temperature, irritability/crying, drowsiness
  Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) ActHib

 

Mild temperature, irritability/crying, pain at the injection site 
4 years Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio Infanrix IPV or Quadracel Mild temperature, irritability/crying, drowsiness
6 months of age to less than 5 years of age Annual influenza

 

Influenza vaccine Fever, feeling unwell, muscle aches, injection site pain, redness and swelling

 

More information

For more information about immunisations, please email us at info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or phone 03 9217 2170.