Immunisation protects children (and adults) against harmful infections before they come into contact with them in the community. Immunisation uses the body's natural defence mechanism - the immune response - to build resistance to specific infections. Immunisation helps children stay healthy by preventing serious infections.

The routine childhood immunisations given through the National Immunisation Program currently provide protection against the following diseases - Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Poliomyelitis (polio), Measles, Mumps, Rubella (german measles), Haemophilus influenzae type b (hib), Hepatits B, Meningococcal C, Pneumococcal, Varicella (chicken pox) and Rotateq (rotavirus gastroenteritis). All of these diseases can cause serious complications and sometimes death. All of the vaccines used in the National Immunisation Program are now given by injection.

How Does Immunisation Work?

All forms of immunisation work in the same way. When someone is injected with a vaccine, their body produces an immune response in the same way it would following exposure to a disease but without the person getting the disease. If the person comes in contact with the disease in the future, the body is able to make an immune response fast enough to prevent the person developing the disease of developing a severe case of the disease.

Most immunisations are bulk billed but is at the discretion of the doctor.

Please call reception for more imformation on 3343 0000.

* Information sourced from the National Immunisation Program brochure located:

http://immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/nips2