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                    Types of immunisation

                    A young girl wearing a hat labelled 'Chloe'
                    Immunisation helps you stay healthy by preventing serious diseases. Immunisation helps protect children and adults against harmful infections by using the body’s natural defence mechanism – the immune response – to build resistance to specific infections.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We offer both free and paid immunisation services via our regular community immunisation sessions. Immunisations are given by registered nurses who have extensive training in administering immunisations.

                    Funded immunisations

                    The following immunisations are funded for people who have or are eligible for a Medicare card as part of the Nati​onal Immunisation Program

                    Infants and children

                    • 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

                    School-age children

                    • Year 7 – Secondary school program: ​human papillomavirus (HPV), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)
                    • Year 10 – Secondary school program: ​meningococcal ACWY

                    Adults

                    • Eligible people under 20 years: ​free routine and catch-up vaccines under the Nationa​l Immunisation Program
                    • Eligible people aged 20 to under 26 years: free HPV vaccination for anyone who missed their school vaccination.
                    • Pregnant women: free Whooping cough vaccine from 20 weeks and influenza immunisation
                    • Men who have sex with men: Mpox immunisation 
                    • Adults born during or after 1966: measles-mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. (Adults born during or after 1966 do not require evidence of previous doses or immunity)
                    • ​Refugees, humanitarian entrants and vulnerable people: ​free routine and catch-up vaccines under the National Immunisation Program
                    • ​Adults at risk of hepatitis ​B as per the Victorian Government
                    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander over 50 years – can receive Pneumococcal and Shingles immunisations ( All adults of all ages can also have funded influenza immunisation)
                    • All adults 65 years and over can receive funded Shingles and Influenza vaccines
                    • All adults 70 years and over can receive Pneumococcal immunisation

                    Other immunisation services

                    The following vaccines are also available at our community immunisation sessions. where payment is required for vaccinations, pay online at the time of booking via VaxApp booking system​.

                    Are these vaccine​s covered my Private Health Fund? 

                    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. 

                    Influenza 2024

                    $22 per dose, or free for: 

                    • all children from 6 months and under 5 years old.
                    • people 5 years and over, with medical risk factor
                    • pregnant women
                    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages.

                    Available from end of March 2024, until supply is exhausted.

                    Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for any person 6 months and older who wants to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza.

                    Boostrix (diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough)

                    $60 per dose, or free for pregnant women.

                    Ideal for all adults over 20 and grandparents and carers looking after children.

                    Chickenpox

                    $70 per dose, or free for children at 18 months old.

                    Two doses of chickenpox vaccinations are recommended to provide increased protection and minimises the chance of breakthrough disease:

                    • One dose is funded and given at 18 months as a measles, mumps, rubella varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. 
                    • A second dose can be given before or after the 18 month immunisations as long as there is a minimum interval of four weeks. 
                    • A second dose can be given at any age over 12 months.

                    Meningococcal ACWY

                    $75 per dose, or free for children at 12 months old.

                    Recommended for anyone 12 months and over who has not received the four strain meningococcal vaccine. 

                    Prior to July 2018 only the C strain vaccine was offered at 12 months of age. 

                    Meningococcal ACWY is also administered for free in year 10 at school.

                    Meningococcal B (Bexsero)

                    Bexsero $150 per dose

                    Bexsero will be free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children up to 2 years of age. Depending on age of your child they will need to have between 2 to 4 doses. Bexsero can be given from 6 weeks of age. Meningococcal is strongly recommended for all children under 2 years of age. Bexsero can be given at the same time as routine immunisations or given separately. Please contact us if you would like more information.

                    Hepatitis A

                    ​$65 per dose.

                    Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for the following people:

                    • early childhood educators and carers of people with developmental disabilities
                    • plumbers and sewage workers
                    • men who have sex with men
                    • people needing a second dose post travel. 

                    Two doses are recommended, minimum 6 months apart.

                    ​Travel vaccines

                    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. 

                    You can find more information at the Better Health Channel website or the Smart Traveller website.

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