Immunising your child

Why immunise your child?

Immunisation protects your child, other children and the community from harmful and contagious diseases.

To understand how vaccines make your immune system stronger, visit the Department of Health and Human Services' How immunisation works page.

What happens if you don’t immunise?

As well as putting people at risk of getting sick, it can also affect your access to childcare and kindergarten. 

To enrol in childcare or kindergarten in Victoria, your child needs to:

• be up to date with immunisations, or
• be on a suitable catch-up schedule, or
• have approved medical exemption.

Conscientious objection to vaccinations is not a valid reason for exemption.

For more information, you can visit:

• No Jab, No Play legislation (Victorian Department of Health and Human Services)
• Immunisation requirements (Federal Department of Health)

What vaccinations does my child need?

We follow the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule and vaccinate against the following diseases:

Find an immunisation session

Check the 2019 Glen Eira City Council Immunisation schedule (PDF, 361KB) to see when you can vaccinate your child.

Prepare for your visit

You don't need to book to attend a session, but you should bring your child’s health book or immunisation records, and a Medicare card (if you have one).

Four-year-old immunisation

We offer free immunisation party sessions for children aged four years. Come along for face painting, balloons and magic tricks, as well as a free show bag.

You don't need to book to attend. Please also bring your child’s health book or immunisation records. To find out when and where the next Saturday morning and Wednesday afternoon sessions are, please visit our events page.

For further information, contact us on 9524 3333 or email immunisation@gleneira.vic.gov.au

What if my child was vaccinated overseas?

Before you attend a Council immunisation session, you must email your child's immunisation records to immunisation@gleneira.vic.gov.au. 

Please include the following information:

• First and last name
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Photo of Medicare card (if they have one)
• Photo or scanned copy of their immunisation history and an English translation (if needed).

We'll then review your child's overseas immunisations and add them to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). We'll then create a catch-up schedule if your child doesn't have all the required vaccinations. Please allow 10 working days for us to process your paperwork.

Your child must live in Glen Eira to be eligible and you need to attend a council immunisation session for any catch-up immunisations.

Accessing my child's immunisation history

If you have a Medicare card, access your child’s Immunisation History Statement by using your Medicare online account through myGov or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.

If you don't have a Medicare card, please call the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) on 1800 653 809 or visit a Medicare service centre. 

You will automatically receive a statement when your child is 1, 2 and 4 years old.