Immunisation is important for children
What is immunisation?
Immunisation (sometimes called vaccination) is a simple and effective way to protect children from serious diseases.
Immunisations work by helping the body’s immune system to fight against certain diseases. If an immunised person comes into contact with one of these diseases, their immune system can respond more effectively. This can stop the disease from developing or make it less serious.
Immunisation can prevent serious complications that could lead to long term illness or death.
By immunising your child, you also help protect other members of your family and the community, including pregnant women, older people and people with health conditions. When many people are immunised, diseases are less likely to spread. This is called 'herd immunity'.
Find more information:
- Department of Health and Aged Care – About immunisation
- Australian Academy of Science – The science of immunisation
- Department of Health and Aged Care – Questions about vaccination booklet
What childhood diseases does immunisation protect against?
Immunisation protects children from many diseases, including::
- Pertussis (Whooping cough)
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Measles
- Rubella (German measles)
- Mumps
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis A
- Poliomyelitis
- Influenza
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Pneumococcal disease
- Meningococcal disease
- Rotavirus
- Human papillomavirus
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
These diseases can be prevented through routine childhood immunisation. They are included in the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule.
The Queensland Immunisation Schedule shows which immunisations are funded by the Queensland Government:
- Immunisation Schedule Queensland - Children (PDF)
- Immunisation Schedule Queensland - Adolescents, Adults and additional vaccination for people with medical risk conditions (PDF)
- Immunisation Catch-up Schedule Queensland for people aged from 10 years (November 2025) (PDF)
Some children (e.g., Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children or children with medical risk factors) may require additional immunisations. If you are unsure, speak to your doctor or immunisation provider.
The Queensland School Immunisation Program offers free immunisations to students in:
- Year 7
- Year 10
These immunisations are given at school with parent or carer consent. If you miss them at school, you can still access these funded immunisations through a community provider such as your GP or some local pharmacies.
What immunisations should my child have and when?
The immunisation schedule is carefully planned so that people can get the best possible protection against serious infectious diseases when they are most at risk.
The National Immunisation Program and the Immunisation Schedule Queensland recommends childhood immunisations at:
- birth
- 2 months (can be given at 6 weeks)
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 12 months
- 18 months
- 4 years
Don't delay!
To offer the best protection, it is important for your child to be immunised at the recommended times.
Some diseases, such as whooping cough and flu, are still common in Australia.
Other diseases, such as measles, are less common in Australia but are more common overseas. Immunising your child helps protect them from diseases brought into Australia by travellers or caught when travelling overseas .
Is immunisation safe?
Yes, immunisation is safe. All immunisations in Australia are thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness before they are approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Immunisation safety continues to be monitored. Any concerns are investigated quickly and taken very seriously. In Queensland, immunisation providers report adverse events to Queensland Health by completion of an Adverse Events Following Immunisation Reporting Form. Queensland Health will notify the TGA to enable national monitoring and reporting in Australia.
Find more information: How do I know the vaccines are safe? Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation.
Can my child be immunised if they are unwell?
Children with mild illness, such as a cough or cold without fever can still be immunised. If a child is very unwell or has a high fever (over 38.5 degrees Celsius), immunisation should be delayed until they are better. If you are unsure, ask your immunisation provider for advice.
Do immunisations have side-effects?
Like all medications, immunisation can have side effects. Most side effects are minor such as
- redness or soreness where the needle was given
- a mild fever
These reactions can be normal and show the immune system is responding.
Serious side effects are rare. They may include allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Immunisation providers are trained to manage these reactions. This is why you are asked to stay at the clinic or medical surgery for at least 15 minutes after immunisation.
If your child has a reaction that you think is severe or unexpected, seek medical advice straight away.
Find more information:
- Possible side effects of vaccination
- Following vaccination – what to expect and what to do
- After your visit – Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation
Where can I have my child immunised?
You can get most immunisations from your GP or other immunisation provider. The immunisations are free, however you may be charged a consultation fee.
Other immunisation providers include:
- local council clinics
- Pharmacies
- community health clinics
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health services.
To find a immunisation provider near you:
- call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
- use Healthdirect’s free service finder
- call the National Immunisation Hotline on 1800 671 811.
Keeping a record of immunisation
It is important to keep a record of your child's immunisation. When your child receives an immunisation, the provider will record this on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
Proof of immunisation is often needed to enrol your child in childcare or school. In Queensland, if your child’s immunisations aren’t up to date, your childcare service may:
- refuse to enrol your child
- cancel your child’s enrolment or refuse to let them attend
- conditionally accept your child’s enrolment or attendance.
Find out more about childcare immunisation requirements on the Queensland Government website.
To prove your child’s immunisations are up to date, you may need to show an immunisation history statement when your child enrols in childcare services.
Accessing records
You can access your own or your child’s immunisation history statement from the AIR by:
- using your myGov account – link your Medicare account to view or download the immunisation history statement
- Using the myGov app- you will need a myGov account to set up the app
- calling AIR on 1800 653 809 for a copy of your statement. It may take up to 14 days to receive your statement via post.
- asking your GP to access the AIR and print an immunisation history statement.
What is ‘No Jab, No Pay’?
The No Jab, No Pay legislation regarding immunisation requirements means that families with a child who has not had all the routine immunisations listed on the National Immunisation Program schedule will not get their full Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A or child care fee assistance.
Find more information: Services Australia website immunisation requirements.
To find out more about immunisation:
If you have more questions speak to your doctor, nurse or health care worker or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
Reliable sources of information based on scientific evidence are available via the below links:
- Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation
- Questions about vaccination booklet
- The Science of Immunisation booklet
Translation service
Free Interpreting Service (FIS):
Email: tis.freeinterpreting@homeaffairs.gov.au
Phone: 1300 575 847
References
- Australian Government Department of Health, ‘Routine childhood immunisation’
https://www.health.gov.au/childhood-immunisation/routine-childhood-immunisation - Australian Government Department of Health, ‘Questions about vaccination’
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/questions-about-vaccination?language=en - Australian Government Department of Health, ‘National Immunisation Program Schedule’
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/when-to-get-vaccinated/national-immunisation-program-schedule - Australian Government, Department of Health. ‘Australian Immunisation Register’
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/australian-immunisation-register