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Young children, particularly babies, do not have the well-developed immune system that older children and adults have. A number of immunisations are required in the first few years of a child’s life to protect the child against the most serious childhood infectious diseases.
After immunisation, you have a much higher chance of being protected against the disease than if you were not immunised. Most vaccinations need to be given several times to build long lasting protection – this is why it is important for children to complete the full recommended schedule of vaccinations at the recommended times. Sometimes it is possible to ‘catch up’ if the vaccinations are not given on time. However for some immunisations like rotavirus, if too much time has passed then the vaccine cannot be given. Not getting the full course of vaccinations can leave a child unprotected and still at risk of getting the disease.
Children under seven years of age are eligible under the National Immunisation Program to receive free vaccinations against:
It is important that children receive their vaccinations on time so that they get the maximum protection against diseases. The National Immunisation Program Schedule for Adults and Children outlines the recommended immunisations for children and when they are due. Immunisation is important for children has frequently asked questions, the immunisation schedule and more information about the diseases immunisation protects against.
The immunisation schedule in Australia starts at birth when all children are offered hepatitis B immunisation. Hepatitis B immunisation: what you need to know for your newborn baby provides valuable information for parents-to-be on why this immunisation is recommended.
It is important to note that babies under six months of age are at risk of serious complications from whooping cough (pertussis) because they are not fully protected by vaccination. New parents should obtain an adult whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination as soon as possible after their baby is born.
See the Whooping cough program for new parents checklist and the Protect your baby from whooping cough brochure which provide whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination information for new parents.
Another way to protect children is by reducing the spread of contagious conditions in schools and child care services.
The Public Health Act 2005 provides direction about attendance at school or child care for children suspected of having a contagious condition, as well as guidance for parents of unvaccinated children who have had contact with another child with a vaccine preventable condition.
Some conditions may require clearance by your doctor or Public Health Unit before your child can return to school or child care. For more information on what medical conditions are covered under the Public Health Act 2005 and what parents need to know, see the Public Health Act website.
There are some medical conditions like hand, foot and mouth disease which are not covered under the Public Health Act 2005 but do have recommended times that your child should stay away from child care or school. This is for the health of your child as well as reducing the chances of spreading a disease to other children. Timeout details the minimum time, or prescribed period, when an infected child must not attend child care or school to ensure they are no longer able to infect others. The prescribed period varies for each illness.
It is important that child care workers remain up to date with their vaccinations in order to protect themselves as well as children in their care. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends that people who work with children, including child care and pre-school staff (including child care students) and outside school hours carers, should be vaccinated against pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis A, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox), and influenza (required annually).
Employers should take all reasonable steps to strongly encourage non-immune workers to be vaccinated.
Child care centres can also assist promotion of vaccination by displaying brochures and posters.
The NHMRC’s Staying Healthy in Child Care booklet provides information on controlling the spread of childhood diseases in child care settings and the home.
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