Public immunisation sessions

Changes to immunisation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Immunisation is a critical service and we are making some changes to the way we conduct our public sessions to ensure we can keep our community and our staff safe.

We have made some changes to our timetable to ensure we are able to follow social distancing requirements.

What's changed?

The following venues are too small to be able to safely conduct immunisation sessions during the coronavirus pandemic:

• Jindi Family and Community Centre in Mernda
• Lalor Library
• Mill Park Community Centre
• Hazel Glen Child and Family Centre in Doreen

As a result, immunisation sessions at these venues have been suspended for 2020.

Bookings

You will need to book into a public immunisation session.

Additional measures in place at venues?

Immunisation timetable for 2020

Immunisation visit

Eligibility

To find out about eligibility visit the Department of Health website.

When to attend

Do not attend a session earlier than a scheduled dose is due. For example, babies cannot be immunised any earlier than 12 months old for the 12 month immunisation. Attend on or after your child's first birthday.

No appointments are necessary for immunisation sessions, but you should allow at least half an hour for your visit as there may be a wait time.

What to bring and wear

Bring your Medicare card, Child Health Record Book (if applicable) or any other immunisation history for the person being immunised.

If immunising your child, ensure you dress them in clothes that are easily removed to expose their upper thighs (under 12 months) or their upper arms (over 12 months).

When you arrive

When you arrive, take a number and wait to be called to the administration desk where you will be asked to read the pre-immunisation checklist. Download the pre-immunisation checklist before your appointment.

Ensure you inform the nurse of any concerns you have before they administer the vaccine. The nurse will observe you for 15 minutes after you receive the vaccination to ensure you do not have a reaction to the vaccine.

Delaying immunisation

There are very few medical reasons to delay immunisation. If the person to be immunised is sick with a high temperature (over 38ºC) then immunisation should be postponed until the child is recovering. A child who has a runny nose, but is not ill can be immunised, as can a child who is on antibiotics and obviously recovering from an illness.

Funded (free) vaccines

The Victorian Department of Health funds vaccines for certain people depending on a number of factors.

If you do not meet the funded criteria, but want to be vaccinated, speak to your local doctor about paying for them on a prescription.

To find out whether you or your child is eligible for a funded vaccine, visit the Department of Health website.

No Jab No Pay

Have you received a letter from Centrelink regarding your child's immunisation status?

From 1 January 2016:

• Only parents of children (less than 20 years of age) who are fully immunised or are on a recognised catch -up schedule can receive the Child Care Benefit, the Child Care Rebate and the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement. The relevant vaccinations are those under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which covers the vaccines usually administered before age 5. These vaccinations must be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
• Children with medical contraindications or natural immunity for certain diseases will continue to be exempt from the requirements.
• Conscientious objection and vaccination objection on non-medical grounds will no longer be a valid exemption from immunisation requirements.

How can we help you?

We require the following information:

• A copy of all immunisation history you have kept (from Australia and overseas) for your child
• A copy of your Medicare card (if you have one)
• You child's details including name, address and date of birth
• Your details including mobile number and email address

You can supply this information by:

• Visit our offices located at 25 Ferres Boulevard in South Morang, Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm
• Email a copy to teamimmunisation@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
• Take photos of each required document and text to 0437 848 173

How long will it take to process?

Our Immunisation team will process your child's history and if required, we will schedule an immunisation catch up within 5 working days.

Please note: our staff can NOT process histories at Public Immunisation Sessions.

Flu vaccine

All people aged over 6 months are recommended to receive influenza vaccine every year.

The Federal and State Governments allocate free flu vaccine to the following people:

• All children aged six months to less than five years
• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged from six months
• All adults aged over 65 years
• All people aged over six months who have certain medical conditions which increase the risk of influenza disease complications, for example severe asthma, lung or heart disease, low immunity or diabetes.

This year we have partnered with the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network to offer free flu vaccine to other vulnerable groups including:

• All children aged up to 18
• People with at risk behaviours
• People with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• Homeless people
• Staff or volunteers working in long term care facilities
• Household contacts of those in high risk groups
• Staff or volunteers providing care to homeless people.

If you do not fall into any category above, you can purchase the vaccine for $20 (credit card only).

The vaccine will be available at all Council public immunisation sessions from 23 April 2019.

What is immunisation?

Immunisation – also called vaccination - is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting children and adults against certain harmful diseases. It uses the human body’s natural defence mechanism to build resistance against specific infections.

The immunisation process involves the following 2 steps.

1. You receive an injection or drops of a vaccine. Your body produces an immune response to the vaccine, just as it would if you had caught the disease, but you don’t actually get the disease during this process.
2. If you come in contact with that disease in the future your body will be better prepared to fight it quickly, which could help you avoid serious illness or death.

Immunisation side-effects

Common side-effects

Common side-effects of immunisation are mild, short-lasting and do not require treatment. More serious reactions to immunisation are very rare, and vaccines are much safer than the diseases they prevent. Side-effects may include:

• redness, itching and soreness at the site of an injection for 1 to 2 days
• mild fever
• fainting, which occurs mainly in adolescents and adults

Treating side-effects

• use paracetamol to help ease fever or soreness
• place a cold, wet cloth on the injection site
• give extra fluids to drink
• do not overdress if hot

Severe reactions

Reactions such as convulsions, paleness, limpness and unresponsiveness rarely occur but require urgent medical attention. Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) occurs suddenly, usually within 15 minutes but can occur within hours of vaccine administration. Early signs of anaphylaxis include:

• redness and/or itching of the skin
• breathing problems
• sense of distress
• diarrhoea and/or vomiting

Note: If you have left the immunisation centre and experience these symptoms, visit your doctor or hospital immediately.

Benefits of immunisation

• The risks of immunisation are far less than catching the disease itself.
• Side effects such as pain or fever can usually be managed quickly and easily.
• Since immunisation reduces your risk of catching a disease, you avoid the cost, inconvenience and suffering of illness.
• If more people in the community are immunised, it is more difficult for infections to spread, which can minimise or eliminate serious diseases in our communities, countries and worldwide.