We aim to reduce the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases in the community by providing appropriate and timely information to immunisation providers and the community, and promote the delivery of the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Children and Immunisation
Although many Australian children are immunised, it is important to maintain high immunisation rates to reduce the risk of outbreaks of serious diseases. Current immunisation rates in the Western Sydney region are below the 95% coverage targets for one, two and five-year old age groups.
To combat these low statistics, we have facilitated the annual Immunisation Bike Competition since 2011, an initiative encouraging childhood immunisation in partnership with local practices.
Protecting your Community
Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases that can cause serious health problems in the community. Immunisation not only protects individuals from life-threatening diseases but also dramatically reduces transmission in the community. The more people who are vaccinated, the fewer opportunities a disease will spread
The Department of Health have put together a campaign to ‘Get the Facts about Immunisation‘ to highlight the importance of childhood immunisation. This campaign aims to encourage Australian parents and carers to get their kids vaccinated on time. While immunisation rates in Australia are already high, with 94 per cent of five-year-old children fully vaccinated, there are some areas where the immunisation rate is too low. Find out more by accessing campaign resources including videos and brochures.
Useful Tools and Resources
We’ve found the below government tools and resources that maybe useful for you and your family.
Parents are encouraged to download the Save the Date to Vaccinate app to stay up to date with their child’s vaccinations. Each vaccine plays an important role, so timely vaccination is the best way to protect your child. This website offers parents access to comprehensive information on immunisation as well as the following, easy-to-use free tools designed to help you save the date to vaccinate.
Timely vaccination is the best way to protect your child from serious vaccine-preventable diseases. The NSW Immunisation Schedule helps you stay up-to-date. Book ahead and make an appointment with your doctor.
You can get a copy of your child’s immunisation history statement at any time:
- My Health Record via myGov account, by electing to include Australian Immunisation Register details
- Express Plus Medicare mobile app
- By asking your general practitioner to print a copy for you
- Requesting a statement to be sent in the mail
- Calling the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809
Please note due to privacy laws, anyone aged 14 years or older has to get their own statement. Young people aged 14 years or older can give the Department of Human Services permission for their parents to access their immunisation history statement.
If the details of the immunisation history statement are not up to date, contact your health provider.
The Blue Book is important for you and your child as it records your child’s health, illnesses, injuries, growth and development as well as immunisations. The Blue Book also contains valuable health information that you and your child will need throughout their life. If your child was born overseas, you can get a free copy from Better Health Centre by calling on 9887 5450.
Vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough) and influenza are strongly recommended during pregnancy to protect expectant mothers and their babies against these serious infections. These vaccinations are provided free to pregnant women:
The Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) website for parents provides a suite of resources and information for parents and carers of babies and young children, designed to support conversations about childhood vaccination. This includes independently assessed information about vaccines included on the National Immunisation Program and answers to common questions parents ask in an accessible and easily interpreted format.
Questions about Vaccination
The Department of Health has provided a document that answers many common questions about vaccination.
Information of parents and child care centres regarding enrolment can be found in Immunisation Enrolment Toolkit.
Progressing Health Now
Find out more about our other Services and Programs available for Western Sydney community members.
