Immunisation

Flu vaccine is available at Council sessions. Immunisation is by appointment only and a separate appointment is required for each person requiring immunisation.

The flu vaccine is free for:-

• Children aged from six months up to five years of age
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged from six months of age
• Adults aged 65 years and over
• Persons aged from six months of age who have certain medical conditions which increase the risk of influenza disease complications; for example, severe asthma, lung or heart disease, low immunity diabetes
• Pregnant women (during any stage of pregnancy)

For healthy adults and children from 5 years of age. the vaccine cost is $23.00 per dose payable by EFTPOS at scheduled sessions.

For any questions, please contact our Immunisation team on 039932 1695 or email immunisation@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

If your child has an overseas immunisation history, we can add the history to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and provide you with recommended catch-up vaccines required (if any) and an AIR Immunisation History Statement, which is required for entry into childcare, kindergarten and school. Your child does not need a Medicare number to have access to AIR.

If your child has been immunised overseas,

please email 

• your child's immunisation history

• full name

• address

• date of birth

• your name and contact details

to immunisation@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au. A member of staff will contact you to discuss your child's history and any immunisation/s that may be required.

Secondary School students in Years 7 and 10 require immunisation. Information will be forwarded to you electronically via the school in February of each year. Please read the information carefully and complete the consent link. It is important to complete your consent even if you do not consent for immunisations to be given. 

Students will be offered the following vaccinations:

Year 7

• HPV – Gardasil 9 (human papillomavirus) (one dose)
• Boostrix (diphtheria tetanus and whooping cough) (one dose)

Year 10

• NIMENRIX – Meningococcal ACWY (one dose)

If you have any queries, please contact Council’s Immunisation Service on 039932 1695 or email us at immunisation@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au. Further information can be found on the Victorian Department of Health website.

If your child is in another year level in secondary school and has missed out on their vaccinations, please contact Council’s Immunisation Service and we will arrange catch up vaccinations for you.

If you wish for your child to attend a community immunisation session, please Book Appointment Here.

Under the ‘No Jab, No Play’ legislation, before enrolling a child into early childhood education and care services, you have to first obtain evidence that the child is up to date with all vaccinations that are due for their age, or that they are able to receive.

On 28 February 2018, the ‘No Jab, No Play’ legislation was amended so that an Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is the only form of documentation accepted for the purpose of enrolling in an early childhood education and care service.

Previous forms of documentation, for example a letter from a GP or local council, are no longer accepted.

Council offers the following adult immunisations:

• Hepatitis B – adults require three doses of this vaccine
• Chickenpox vaccine – adults require two doses of this vaccine
• Boostrix (Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (whooping cough) – this vaccine is free for pregnant women. The vaccine is available at a cost of $40 per dose for Partners and additional Family Members. 
• Pneumococcal vaccine – free for those 65 years and over
• Influenza vaccine – free for those 65 years and over

Council provides free catch-up NIP vaccines for all children up to 19 years of age on an ongoing basis.

If you require further information or would like advice on how to start a catch-up for your child's vaccinations, please contact councils Immunisation Team 039932 1695 before attending a session. Council's expert immunisation staff can work out catch-up schedules and give the vaccinations at scheduled or appointment sessions. This is a free service.

By law, to finalise enrolement for your child in long day care, kindergarten, family day care or occasional care you must provide the service with an Immunisation History Statement that shows your child is:

• Up to date with vaccinations for their age OR
• Up to date with a vaccine catch up schedule OR
• Has a medical condition preventing them from being fully vaccinated.

What is an Immunisation History Statement?

It is a statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) that shows what vaccines your child has received and, if applicable, which vaccines are due in the future and when.

All vaccines recorded on the AIR will appear in your child’s Immunisation History Statement.  You don’t need to do anything to get your child's Immunisations on the AIR.  It is the job of the vaccine provider to tell the AIR when they give your child a vaccine and which vaccines they have given.

How do I get an Immunisation History Statement?

The quickest way to get your child’s AIR history statement is by using your Medicare online account through myGov or Express Plus Medicare mobile app.

You can also visit your local Medicare service centre or request for your child’s statement to be posted to you by calling the AIR enquiries line on 1800 653 209.  It can take up to 14 days to get your statement in the post.

If you require any assistance, please contact Hobsons Bay City Council’s Immunisation Team on 039932 1695 and staff will help you to obtain a statement.

How do I tell if my child is “up to date”?

Review your child’s most recent AIR Immunisation History Statement.  At the bottom of the statement there is a section titled ‘Next due immunisation(s)’.  If the date of the next due vaccination is in the future, then your child’s immunisations are up to date for their age.

If your child has completed all their childhood vaccinations, there will be no vaccines listed under the ‘Next due immunisation(s)’ heading.

What do I do when my child has vaccinations AFTER enrolling?

After each vaccination, you should provide an updated Immunisation History Statement to the service to include in their records.

Council provides an onsite workplace immunisation program. For information regarding this program please telephone Council’s Immunisation Service on 03 9932 1695.

If you have any feedback about Council's immunisations sessions or service or would like further information about the immunisation program, please contact us at immunisation@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

What is immunisation?

Immunisation protects children and adults against harmful infections before they come into contact with them in the community. Immunisation uses the body’s natural defence mechanism – the immune response – to build resistance to specific infections. Immunisation helps children stay healthy by preventing serious infections.

Immunisation Sessions

Council holds regular immunisation sessions in maternal, and child health centres and community buildings throughout the municipality and evening and after hour sessions as listed on the immunisation program. All community immunisation sessions are booked online.

To make an appointment please click Book Appointment Now. 

If you have more than one child/person to be immunised you will need to book separate appointments, ideally one after another.

If you have any queries, please phone Council’s Immunisation Service on 039932 1695.

What happens at an immunisation session?

On arrival, present your child's health book (green book) and any documented evidence of previous vaccinations given to the immunisation staff member.  If you have any concerns about your child’s health, or concerns about whether your child should be immunised, ask a staff member immediately.

When your name is called, a nurse will collect you from the waiting area. The nurse will ask if your child is well today and confirm the immunisations due. The visit will be recorded onto AIR and your child's health book will be stamped with the immunisations that your child has received together with your due back date. A common reaction to vaccines sheet will also be placed in the book.  

On completion of the immunisations you will then be asked to return to the seating area and remain at the venue for 15 minutes. This is a precautionary measure in case your baby has a reaction. An adverse reaction to immunisation will usually happen within a few minutes of receiving the injection. Signs to look for are skin rash, facial swelling, pallor, limpness or breathing difficulties. If you are at all worried go back to the nurse immediately.

Are there any reasons to delay immunisation?

There are very few medical reasons to delay immunisation. Babies with minor coughs and colds without fever, or those receiving antibiotics in the recovery phase of an acute illness, can be immunised safely and effectively.  Immunisation should only be postponed if a child is very unwell with a high fever at or above (38.5^oC). Immunisation should be arranged for when baby is well again (a week or two later). If in any doubt, ask immunisation staff before delaying immunisation.

What are the side effects of immunisation?

Common side effects of immunisation are redness and soreness at the site of an injection and mild fever. More serious reactions to immunisation are very rare, but if they do occur a doctor or hospital should be consulted immediately. It is important to remember that vaccines are many times safer than the diseases they prevent.