Most immunisations need to be given several times to build long-lasting protection. For example, a child who has been given only one or two doses of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine DTPa is only partially protected against diphtheria, whooping cough pertussis and tetanus, and may become sick if exposed to these diseases. But some vaccines give protection after only one dose. The immune system in young children does not work as well as the immune system in older children and adults, because it is still immature.
Therefore more doses of vaccine are needed. In the first months of life, a baby is protected from most infectious diseases by antibodies from his or her mother, which are transferred to the baby during pregnancy. When these antibodies wear off, the baby is at risk of serious infections and so the first immunisations are given before these antibodies have gone.
Another reason why children get many immunisations is that new vaccines against serious infections continue to be developed. The number of injections is reduced by the use of combination vaccines, where several vaccines are combined into one shot. Parents and other people including grandparents and carers who come into contact with young children are commonly carriers of some childhood infections and should be vaccinated against these diseases.
For more information on immunisations against childhood diseases, visit your local doctor or immunisation provider. There are very few medical reasons to delay immunisation. If a child is sick with a high temperature over A child who has a runny nose but is not ill can be immunised, as can a child who is on antibiotics and recovering from an illness. Children and adults come into contact with many antigens substances that provoke a reaction from the immune system each day, and the immune system responds to each antigen in specific ways to protect the body.
Without a vaccine, a child can only become immune to a disease by being exposed to infection, with the risk of severe illness. If illness occurs after vaccination, it is usually insignificant. Many diseases prevented by immunisation are spread directly from person to person, so good food, water and hygiene do not stop infection. Despite excellent hospital care, significant illness, disability and death can still be caused by diseases which can be prevented by immunisation.
All vaccines currently available in Australia must pass stringent safety testing before being approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. In addition, the safety of vaccines is monitored once they are in use, by the Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee and other organisations. Before vaccines are made available for use they are rigorously tested in thousands of people in progressively larger clinical trials.
These trials are strictly monitored for safety. The approval process can take up to 10 years. As a result of such detailed testing, a number of vaccines that failed in these early tests have never been released. Some health problems associated with international travel are vaccine preventable. Travellers should consult a travel medical centre, or their local doctor, at least 6 to 12 weeks before departure for a check-up and to discuss required and recommended vaccinations for specific regions.
See our section on Travelling Overseas. Vaccinations recommended for babies and children can safely be administered at a single visit as long as they are given in separate syringes and in different parts of the body. The recommended Immunisation Schedule has a reduced number of injections given at each immunisation session through the use of new combination vaccines. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server.
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Text Size. Why Immunize Your Child. Page Content. Why are vaccines still needed if the diseases are not as common anymore? Chickenpox is not a fatal disease, so why is the vaccine needed? Does my baby need immunizations if I am breastfeeding?
Do vaccines even work? It seems like most of the people who get these diseases have been vaccinated. When should my child get immunized? What side effects will my child have after getting a vaccine? Are they serious?
Should some children not be immunized? Does the MMR vaccine cause autism? Do vaccines cause SIDS? How do we know vaccines are safe? What is thimerosal and does it cause neurologic problems? Is it safe to give more than one vaccine at a time? Where can I find more information? Credible sources include: American Academy of Pediatrics www. There are a number of treatment options that can reduce the side effects of the vaccine including:.
Many vaccine injections may result in soreness, redness, itching, swelling or a burning feeling at the injection site for one to two days. Paracetamol and a cool compress on the site might be required to ease the discomfort.
If a side effect following immunisation is unexpected, persistent or severe or if you are worried about yourself or your child's condition after a vaccination, see your doctor or immunisation nurse as soon as possible or go directly to a hospital. You can discuss with your immunisation provider how to report adverse events in other states or territories. It is important to seek medical advice if you or your child are unwell, as this may be due to other illness rather than because of the vaccination.
There is a very small risk of a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to any vaccine. This is why you are advised to stay at the clinic or medical surgery for at least 15 minutes following immunisation in case further treatment is required. To fully protect your child and avoid unnecessary costs, it is best to immunise your child at the recommended age.
If you have fallen behind or missed a session, the vaccine schedule can be safely continued as if there had been no delay. Ask your doctor or immunisation provider about catch-up doses of vaccine. The immunisations you may need are decided by your health, age, lifestyle and occupation.
Together, these factors are referred to as HALO. Talk to your doctor or immunisation provider if you think you or someone in your care has health, age, lifestyle or occupation factors that could mean immunisation is necessary. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.
Children should always be closely supervised near animals and taught how to behave safely around pets. You can help your child overcome anxiety by taking their fears seriously and encouraging them to talk about their feelings. Pregnant women with asthma need to continue to take their asthma medication as it is important to the health of both mother and baby that the mother's asthma is well managed. Asthma cannot be cured, but with good management people with asthma can lead normal, active lives.
Understanding asthma triggers for your child can help to reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.
The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.
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