Register, book and manage your vaccination appointments
Funded immunisations for infants and children
The following immunisations are funded for people who have or are eligible for a Medicare card External link as part of the National Immunisation Program External link.
- 6 to 8 weeks: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenza B, hepatitis B, pneumococcal (not at 6 months), rotavirus (not at 6 months)
- 4 months: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenza B, hepatitis B, pneumococcal (not at 6 months), rotavirus (not at 6 months)
- 6 months: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenza B, hepatitis B
- 12 months: measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal ACWY, pneumococcal
- 18 months: varicella (chickenpox), measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), haemophilus influenza B
- 4 years: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio
Seasonal influenza immunisation (April to September)
Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications. It is recommended for all people 6 months of age and over.
Influenza vaccines are free for:
- children aged 6 months up to 5 years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages
- some children with certain medical conditions.
The flu vaccine is available to purchase for children who are 5 years and over.
To learn more about influenza, visit Better Health Channel External link.
Children with certain medical conditions
Additional vaccines are given to children with certain medical risk conditions that put them at increased risk of complications from vaccine preventable diseases, such as:
- babies that are born prematurely or low birth weight
- children with chronic medical risk conditions.
Some of these children may need additional doses of some vaccines for pneumococcal, influenza or hepatitis B.
Email our immunisation team at immunisation@melbourne.vic.gov.au if you have any questions regarding your child’s medical condition.
For further information, visit Immunisation for people with medical risk conditions External link.
Paid immunisations for children
In addition to the vaccines provided under the National Immunisation Program, we offer optional vaccines that are not funded but can be purchased.
In some circumstances, your private healthcare may cover the cost of paid vaccination not covered under the National Immunisation Program. This will depend on the kind of cover you have in your policy. Contact your private health provider to find out if these vaccinations are included as part of your cover.
The following vaccines are recommended in addition to the funded vaccines and can be purchased on our online booking site Vitavo External link. Prices are subject to change without notice.
The City of Melbourne does not provide travel vaccines. If you are travelling outside of Australia, please visit your GP at least one month prior to travel to get advice on vaccination for you and your children. For more information, visit Better Health Channel External link or Smart Traveller External link.
Ages from 6 weeks
Children can get the meningococcal B vaccine from 6 weeks of age. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can get the vaccine for free up to 2 years of age.
Ages from 6 weeks to 11months
3 doses (8 weeks between 1st and 2nd with a booster at 12 months or greater)
Ages 12 months and over
2 doses (8 weeks between doses)
Paracetamol for children under 2 years of age
If your child is under 2 years old and is having the meningococcal B vaccine, it is recommended that they take paracetamol (such as Panadol) with every dose of the meningococcal B vaccine. This is because of an increased risk of fever as a side effect associated with this vaccine.
- Give a first dose of paracetamol 30 minutes before, or as soon as possible after getting the vaccine.
- Give two more doses of paracetamol 6 hours apart.
It’s important that you buy paracetamol before attending an immunisation session when receiving the meningococcal B vaccine.
Learn more about meningococcal at Better Health Channel External link.
Ages from 6 weeks to 11 months
Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is given at 12 months of age on the National Immunisation Program. However, the meningococcal ACWY vaccine can be given as early as 6 weeks of age
The scheduled dose at 12 months of age is funded and acts as a booster dose for those who start early, providing the best protection for your child.
Ages from 6 weeks to 5 months (two paid doses 8 weeks apart with funded booster at 12 months)
Ages from 5 to 11 months (one paid dose with a funded booster at 12 months)
Learn more about meningococcal at Better Health Channel External link.
Ages from 12 months and over
One dose of the chickenpox vaccine is funded and given at 18 months as a combined MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella) vaccine.
Two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are recommended to provide increased protection (to approximately 95%) and prevent breakthrough disease.
An additional dose of chickenpox vaccine can be given at any age from 12 months, either before or after the funded 18-month dose (with at least a 4 week gap between doses).
Learn more about chickenpox (varicella) at Better Health Channel External link.
Ages from 5 years of age
The flu vaccine is strongly recommended for all children. The flu vaccine is available to purchase for children who are 5 years and over. The vaccine is free for:
- some children with certain medical conditions
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- children aged 6 months up to 5 years of age.
Learn more about influenza at Better Health Channel External link.
Catch-up immunisation
Any immunisation given after the recommended age is called a ‘catch-up’ immunisation. Catch-up immunisations aim to provide optimal protection against disease as quickly as possible by completing the age-appropriate vaccinations recommended.
Depending on the person’s age and immunisation history, their catch-up schedule may be different to the National Immunisation Program Schedule.
If your child is overdue for immunisations, please get in touch with us at immunisation@melbourne.vic.gov.au. Our experienced nurses can work out a catch-up schedule for your child and answer any questions you may have.
Are you newly arrived in Australia from overseas? Visit Families arriving from overseas for further information.
Immunisation history statements for children
All children need an Immunisation History Statement showing what vaccines they have received, to attend childcare, kindergarten and primary school in Victoria.
The only accepted documentation is a current Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). The statement shows whether a child is up to date with their immunisations and includes details of the vaccines they have received.
How to get an Immunisation History Statement
You will automatically receive a history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) when your child turns 5 years old. However, you can request a statement for children (under 14 years of age) at any time.
There are several ways to get an Immunisation History Statement. The quickest is to use your Medicare online account through myGov or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app — from there you can print or download a copy.
If you do not have a Medicare online account or you have difficulty getting a copy on your myGov account, you can also:
- phone the Australian Immunisation Register enquiry line on 1800 653 809
- visit your local Medicare or Centrelink office.
Don’t forget to keep your address and personal details up to date with Medicare.
Families who are not eligible to hold a Medicare card can call the AIR to request an Immunisation History Statement to be posted (allow up to 14 days for delivery by post).
A translating and interpreting service is available at 131 450.
If your child’s statement says they are not up to date, we may need to organise further catch-up vaccinations. Please get in touch with us at immunisation@melbourne.vic.gov.au.
To learn more, visit Better Health Channel External link.
