Immunising your child

Find an immunisation session

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only one parent with one child is allowed at the immunisation sessions. Mask must be worn before entering the immunisation session.

Our immunisation sessions are appointment-based.

Session locations

Our community immunisation sessions are held at the following locations:

• Bentleigh McKinnon Youth Centre, 1–5 Higgins Road, Bentleigh
• Carnegie Library and Community Centre, 7 Shepparson Avenue, Carnegie
• Caulfield Park Pavilion, 280 Balaclava Road, Caulfield North
• Connect Health, 2A Gardeners Road, Bentleigh East
• Glen Eira Town Hall, corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield
• McKinnon Public Hall, 118 McKinnon Road, McKinnon

Prepare for your visit

Our immunisation sessions are appointment-based. Bookings are available online. Bring your child’s health book or immunisation records, and a Medicare card (if you have one).

Special four-year-old immunisation

We run a special four-year-old session every second month and the children getting immunised get a free show bag.

These vaccinations are recommended to be given to children the month they turn four. Our four-year-old immunisation sessions are by appointment only. Children aged between six months and under five years can also be immunised at the four-year-old session. We kindly ask that only one parent per child attend the session.

2022 Influenza vaccination

Vaccination against influenza (flu) is important this year. Annual vaccination is our best defence against flu virus and its complications.

Over the COVID-19 period there has been lower exposure to influenza virus and lower levels of influenza vaccine coverage compared to previous years. With borders reopening a possible resurgence of influenza can occur in 2022.

The influenza vaccine for children over 6 months of age to under 5 years is available during Council’s community sessions.

Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination

ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) has advised that influenza vaccines can be co-administered (on the same day) with a COVID-19 vaccine. Co-administration with COVID-19 booster vaccines could be a prompt for influenza vaccination.

Timing of vaccination

The highest level of protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination. Annual vaccination should ideally occur before the onset of each influenza season. This is usually from June to September in most parts of Australia but may be atypical this year. Vaccinating from April provides protection before the peak season.

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's 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:

From 6 weeks

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b
• Pneumococcal
• Rotavirus

4 months

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b
• Pneumococcal
• Rotavirus

6 months

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b

12 months

• Measles, mumps, rubella
• Pneumococcal
• Meningococcal ACWY

18 months

• Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox
• Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis
• Haemophilus Influenza type b

4 years

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis

12-13 years or Year 7

• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis

Year 10

• Meningococcal ACWY

Boosting required (over periods longer than 6 months and less than 5 years)

• Influenza

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.