07 4636 6884

Call to book an appointment

IMMUNISATIONS

TIMING IS IMPORTANT

IMMUNISATIONS

The National Immunisation Program Schedule Queensland outlines when your child’s vaccinations should take place. To get the best protection, every vaccination should happen on its due date as outlined in the National Immunisation Program Schedule Queensland here.

You can also download the free VacciDate app to get reminders when each vaccination is due and keep immunisation records for all the children in your family.

Book an appointment with a GP at Westridge Medical for your Child Immunisations, Pregnancy Vaccinations, Flu Vaccinations and Travel Immunisations.

VACCINES FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN

It is important that your baby is fully immunised as early in life as possible to be protected from serious and life threatening diseases.

Babies are vulnerable to serious and life-threatening diseases. This is why we aim to protect babies as early in life as possible.

The best time to immunise against each disease varies. A mother’s antibodies (passed onto baby during pregnancy and via breast milk) are temporary and won’t fully protect a baby against all types of vaccine preventable diseases.

This is why it is important that your baby be fully immunised within the first 6 months of life. In Australia, babies start receiving vaccines at birth and again at 6 weeks, 4 months and 6 months of age.

To be fully protected, your child will require a full course (often more than 1 dose) of vaccines at critical times.

PREGNANCY VACCINES

Vaccinations during pregnancy are vital as they are the most effective way to protect mum and baby, as mother develops immunity and also passes protective antibodies on to the baby.

About two weeks after vaccination, the mother develops immunity and also passes protective antibodies on to the baby. The antibodies can protect the baby after birth until they are old enough to get vaccinated from 6 weeks.

More information about the recommended vaccines during pregnancy and the timing of each vaccination can be found at the pages below:

Whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy

Influenza vaccination during pregnancy

FLU VACCINES

In Australia, severe influenza or ‘the flu’ is the leading cause of hospitalisation for children under 5 and can sometimes be fatal.

The flu is a disease that is easily spread and mainly affects the upper airways and lungs.

The flu is not the same as a common cold and people with the flu may have symptoms that range from mild to moderate to severe.

Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of preventing the flu and its complications. Being vaccinated gives you protection against flu by building immunity to the virus and preventing transmission of the virus to other people and is recommended annually for any person over 6 months of age.

TRAVEL VACCINES

If you travel outside Australia, you may get sick from a number of diseases that are preventable by vaccination. Different vaccines are needed for certain countries. You should consult your doctor or visit a travel health clinic six to 12 weeks before you travel.

There is no standard immunisation schedule that will suit all travellers. Different countries have different vaccination requirements. The recommended vaccines for travelling depend on a number of factors, including:

  • your age
  • pregnancy or planning pregnancy
  • underlying medical conditions
  • vaccination history
  • location
  • season of travel