Childhood vaccination

The National Immunisation Program schedule (NIP) tells us which vaccines people living in Australia should receive at different times and ages in their life. These vaccines are free for those eligible for Medicare benefits.

The NSW Immunisation Schedule tells us which vaccines people living in NSW will need over their life journey from birth to adulthood. It is based on the NIP and also includes additional vaccines funded by NSW Health.

To have the best protection at different stages of life, people should ensure they are immunised on time.

Delayed or missing vaccinations (catch up vaccination)

Children who have not received all vaccines recommended by the National Immunisation Program (NIP) require additional (catch-up) vaccination.

This brings them up-to-date and ensures that they are protected against all vaccine-preventable diseases. To help immunisation providers plan catch-up vaccination, parents need to provide documents of what vaccinations the child has had previously.

All childhood and some adolescent vaccinations are free of charge. Ask your doctor or immunisation provider for more information.

The Commonwealth Government funds a range of catch-up vaccines under the National Immunisation Program. Detailed information is available on the Commonwealth’s catch-up immunisation website.
Additional vaccines provided free in NSW.

More information:

Catch-up vaccination - The Australian Immunisation Handbook (health.gov.au)

Public childhood vaccination clinics

Most general practitioners (or local doctors) in Western Sydney offer childhood vaccinations.

There are also several public vaccination clinics for children, that are supported by the Public Health Unit. These clinics are staffed by registered nurses authorised in immunisation.

There is no cost to attend public clinics, and a Medicare card is not needed.

Clinic locations:
Childhood Immunisation - Blacktown City (nsw.gov.au)
Auburn Community Health Centre Immunisation Clinic

Contact

NSW Health Public Health Unit
Phone 1300 066 055

Useful links

The Australian Immunisation Handbook
Additional Commonwealth and NSW-funded free vaccines (NSW Health)
Childhood Immunisation - about routine childhood immunisation (health.gov.au)
National Immunisation Program Schedule (health.gov.au)
NSW Immunisation Schedule (NSW Health)
No Jab No Play, No Jab No Pay - National and state legislation in relation to immunisation requirements for childcare (NCIRS)
Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation - vaccination communication support tools (NCIRS)
Talking about immunisation – evidence-based support for conversations with parents who have questions about immunisation (Sharing knowledge about immunisation)
Vaccine safety data (AusVaxSafety)

Centre for Population Health