Vaccines and immunisation

Boy toddler

Children are the age group most commonly vaccinated. Image: Shutterstock.com

Vaccines protect you, your child and the whole community from infectious diseases, such as polio and whooping cough (pertussis).

Before vaccines were available, these diseases caused illness, disability and even death. They still can today, especially if people are not vaccinated. Immunisation is important because eradicating an infectious disease can only happen if everyone is protected from it.

In our vaccines and immunisation knowledge hub you’ll find up-to-date information about the vaccines currently available in Australia, who should be vaccinated, the possible side effects of vaccines, as well as some answers to the common questions people ask about vaccines and their safety.

Children are most often vaccinated, but other groups of people may also need vaccination including teenagers, pregnant women, older people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and travellers. Find out more about what vaccinations your children should have and when.

Latest information - vaccines and immunisation

Audience:
       

(Condition)
27 May 2013 Read about whooping cough vaccination for adults & children, & why you should avoid children, babies & pregnant women if you have whooping cough
(Medicine)
23 May 2013 Travelling abroad can put you at higher risk of catching an infectious disease. Find out about vaccinations for travellers & when you need to have them
(Medicine)
23 May 2013 Read about recommended vaccines for older people over the ages of 50 & 65, including older Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, eg flu, chickenpox & pneumococcal vaccines
(Medicine)
23 May 2013 Important vaccination information for women before pregnancy, during pregnancy & when breastfeeding
(Medicine)
23 May 2013 Vaccines are important for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples because they are at greater risk of catching certain infectious diseases such as TB, influenza & pneumonia. Find out more
(Medicine)
23 May 2013 Adults may need vaccinations if they’re at greater risk of infection or if they were not immunised as a child. Learn about adult vaccinations such as influenza, pneumococcal, MMR, shingles & more.
(Medicine)
20 May 2013 Vaccinations protect people of all ages and backgrounds against harmful diseases. Whether it’s children, pregnant women, older people or travellers, find out which groups need immunisation and when
(Medicine)
20 May 2013 Vaccinations for children & teenagers protect them from infectious diseases. Find out more about the childhood immunisation program
(Medicine)
23 Apr 2013 Your most frequent questions about vaccines and immunisation answered.
(Tool / resource)
22 Apr 2013 Recommendations and advice for health professionals for the 2013 influenza season