Vaccines for babies and children

About vaccination for babies and children

Babies and young kids need vaccines early in life to help protect them from serious diseases. Getting kids vaccinated at the recommended ages helps keep them safe while their immune systems grow stronger.  

Vaccinating kids also helps protect their family and community. This is called community immunity, or herd immunity. You can read more about community immunity on the About vaccination for mob page.

Watch the videos on our resources page to hear Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other health professionals talk about benefits of childhood immunisation. They also answer common questions from parents and carers.

What vaccines can babies and children get

The list of recommended vaccines for mob is called the National Immunisation Program schedule for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The schedule provides the following vaccines for free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and young children:

• chickenpox
• diphtheria
• influenza (flu)
• hepatitis A (children in Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia only)
• hepatitis B
• measles
• meningococcal B
• meningococcal ACWY
• mumps
• polio
• pneumococcal
• rotavirus
• rubella
• tetanus
• whooping cough (pertussis).

The recommended vaccines on the National Immunisation Program schedule for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people protect against many serious diseases. Depending on your child's circumstances, your health professional may also recommend additional vaccines.

Extra vaccines that are not free

Some babies and children may need additional vaccines based on their age, health condition, travel plans or other circumstances. Talk to your health professional about whether extra vaccines are recommended for your child.  

Your health professional may recommend other vaccines that are not free. You can buy these privately.

When can babies and children get the vaccines

The childhood vaccines for mob are for children from birth until age 5.

Vaccines are recommended at different ages to help protect your child when they need it most. Getting your child vaccinated at the recommended time gives the best protection for your child and your community.

Catching up on missed vaccinations

If your child has missed any childhood vaccines, they can catch up on most of them for free up until they turn 20. But it’s best to get them as soon as possible to get the most protection.

Talk to your health professional about any childhood vaccines you or your family may have missed. Staying up to date with vaccinations helps keep you, your family and your community safe from serious diseases.

How are the vaccines given

Babies and children get most of the free scheduled vaccines under the National Immunisation Program as an injection in the arm or leg. The rotavirus vaccine is given via mouth.

Combination vaccines

Babies and children have strong immune systems. Having multiple vaccines at the same time will not overload your child’s immune system but will provide them with the extra protection they need.

Why do some vaccines need more than one dose

Some vaccines need more than one dose to give the best possible protection. Depending on the vaccine, this is to either:

• boost your child’s immunity (such as the hepatitis B vaccine, which needs 4 doses)
• protect against diseases that change over time (such as the flu).

How do the vaccines work

When your child gets a vaccine, their body’s immune system creates antibodies for protection. If they come into contact with that disease in the future, their immune system remembers it and responds quickly.

Most vaccines take about 7 to 21 days to provide immunity.

To find out more, see:

• how vaccines affect immunity
• Yarning about vaccination fact sheet.

What are the benefits and risks of the vaccines

All vaccines in Australia have been tested for safety and are regularly monitored for the side effects they may cause. Your child may have side effects after getting the vaccines, but these are almost always mild. Read more about the possible side effects below.

Without the vaccines, your child is at risk of getting seriously sick with ongoing complications. Diseases like measles and whooping cough can cause death.

Getting a disease is likely to be more serious than the risks of the vaccine. For example:

• Diphtheria could cause difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Measles could cause pneumonia or brain swelling.
• Whooping cough could cause severe breathing problems and may lead to hospitalisation.

For more information, watch the Vaccines are safe video.

Possible side effects

Each vaccine has possible side effects. Most are mild, but occasionally there can be serious side effects.

Common side effects

Most side effects are mild and usually go away in a few days. Find out about possible side effects and how to manage them.  

If you are concerned, speak to your health professional for advice. Most children who have reactions can safely have more vaccines. If needed, your health professional may refer your child for more testing or take extra precautions before the next vaccine.

Very rare side effects

Serious side effects are very rare. They can include:

• severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• seizures (especially in babies)
• bowel obstruction (intussusception) after rotavirus vaccine.

These need medical attention straight away.

How can my baby or child get vaccinated

See the About vaccination for mob page to find out how to get your baby or child vaccinated.

More information

For more information:

• See the About vaccination for mob and National Immunisation Program vaccines for mob web pages.
• View our National Immunisation Program resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Browse our Childhood Immunisation resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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