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Vaccination and immunisation
Follow the links below to more information about immunisation and vaccinations.
Adult immunisation
Adequate vaccination is just as important for adults as it is for children. Find out about the diseases you should consider being vaccinated against.
Childhood rashes
Distinguish between the common childhood rashes of rubella, measles, chickenpox and fifth disease and find out how long your child is infectious for.
Flu vaccination
Older people, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses should consider vaccination to protect against flu.
Hepatitis B vaccine
Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing the spread of hepatitis B.
HPV vaccine protects against anal cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against cancer of the anus as well as cervical cancer, a study shows.
HPV vaccine: teenage girls don't see it as green light for sexual activity
A survey has found that most teenage girls do not perceive parental consent for HPV vaccination as implying permission for sexual activity.
Immunising your child
Vaccinations give your child immunity to diseases and protect them from their adverse effects.
Infectious diseases: when can my child go back to school or child care?
Use this guide to determine how long your child should stay away from school or child care.
Influenza vaccine considered safe for 5-year-olds
Five-year-old children can safely be given the seasonal influenza vaccine, but younger children should be offered Panvax (swine flu vaccine), health authorities say.
Influenza vaccine suspended in kids after severe reactions
Doctors have been advised to withhold the seasonal flu vaccine from children younger than 5 years until further notice after a spate of severe reactions among children.
Measles cases double in 2011
Measles cases in Australia so far in 2011 are almost double the number in 2010, mainly in people who were not vaccinated or only partly vaccinated.
Measles vaccination
Measles is a highly infectious virus infection that now occurs rarely in Australia due to widespread vaccination.
Measles warning for NZ Rugby World Cup travellers
A measles outbreak in New Zealand has led to calls for travellers to the Rugby World Cup to make sure their measles vaccinations are up to date.
Obesity reduces flu vaccine effectiveness
Obesity affects immunity after influenza vaccination, with rapid antibody drop off and poorer response of some blood cells, a study has found.
Paracetamol: routine use may affect infant vax response
Routinely giving paracetamol following infant immunisation may interfere with your baby's immune response to several vaccines.
Pneumococcal disease vaccination
Find out more about pneumococcal vaccines.
Polio vaccine vigilance needed after new outbreaks
A polio outbreak in Tajikistan is a warning to other countries not to let polio vaccination rates slide.
Polio: late effects of polio
Symptoms associated with the late effects of polio or post polio syndrome are not related to age nor do all people who have had polio experience them.
Polio: what you need to know
Polio is an infectious disease that can cause permanent muscle weakness, paralysis, and in severe cases, can be life-threatening.
Travel health vaccinations
Vaccination can protect travellers against diseases such as hepatitis and yellow fever.
Travel vaccinations
Travel immunisations are important in pre-trip planning to certain countries. Vaccinations that travellers may need include tetanus and diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid vaccinations.
Vaccination
Vaccination is one of the most important public health measures in the world.
Vaccination and antibodies
See how vaccines prepare your immune system to fight disease by taking advantage of the fact that the immune system can remember infectious organisms.
Vaccination: Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule
An easy guide to the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule showing which immunisations and vaccines you need.
Vaccinations for older people
Three common but potentially dangerous diseases that older people should be vaccinated against are influenza, pneumococcal disease and shingles (herpes zoster); diphtheria and tetanus boosters may also be needed.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough (pertussis) is one of the most serious bacterial infections that can affect children, especially those under 1, but it can be prevented with vaccination.
Whooping cough infant death sparks renewed push for vaccine at birth
The death of an infant from complications of whooping cough has led doctors to renew calls for babies to be vaccinated at birth.
Whooping cough rising in vaccinated children
Whooping cough (pertussis) is being increasingly seen in vaccinated primary school-aged children, experts say, suggesting a risk to younger siblings and a need for booster vaccination at age 18 months.
Adequate vaccination is just as important for adults as it is for children. Find out about the diseases you should consider being vaccinated against.
Childhood rashes
Distinguish between the common childhood rashes of rubella, measles, chickenpox and fifth disease and find out how long your child is infectious for.
Flu vaccination
Older people, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses should consider vaccination to protect against flu.
Hepatitis B vaccine
Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing the spread of hepatitis B.
HPV vaccine protects against anal cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against cancer of the anus as well as cervical cancer, a study shows.
HPV vaccine: teenage girls don't see it as green light for sexual activity
A survey has found that most teenage girls do not perceive parental consent for HPV vaccination as implying permission for sexual activity.
Immunising your child
Vaccinations give your child immunity to diseases and protect them from their adverse effects.
Infectious diseases: when can my child go back to school or child care?
Use this guide to determine how long your child should stay away from school or child care.
Influenza vaccine considered safe for 5-year-olds
Five-year-old children can safely be given the seasonal influenza vaccine, but younger children should be offered Panvax (swine flu vaccine), health authorities say.
Influenza vaccine suspended in kids after severe reactions
Doctors have been advised to withhold the seasonal flu vaccine from children younger than 5 years until further notice after a spate of severe reactions among children.
Measles cases double in 2011
Measles cases in Australia so far in 2011 are almost double the number in 2010, mainly in people who were not vaccinated or only partly vaccinated.
Measles vaccination
Measles is a highly infectious virus infection that now occurs rarely in Australia due to widespread vaccination.
Measles warning for NZ Rugby World Cup travellers
A measles outbreak in New Zealand has led to calls for travellers to the Rugby World Cup to make sure their measles vaccinations are up to date.
Obesity reduces flu vaccine effectiveness
Obesity affects immunity after influenza vaccination, with rapid antibody drop off and poorer response of some blood cells, a study has found.
Paracetamol: routine use may affect infant vax response
Routinely giving paracetamol following infant immunisation may interfere with your baby's immune response to several vaccines.
Pneumococcal disease vaccination
Find out more about pneumococcal vaccines.
Polio vaccine vigilance needed after new outbreaks
A polio outbreak in Tajikistan is a warning to other countries not to let polio vaccination rates slide.
Polio: late effects of polio
Symptoms associated with the late effects of polio or post polio syndrome are not related to age nor do all people who have had polio experience them.
Polio: what you need to know
Polio is an infectious disease that can cause permanent muscle weakness, paralysis, and in severe cases, can be life-threatening.
Travel health vaccinations
Vaccination can protect travellers against diseases such as hepatitis and yellow fever.
Travel vaccinations
Travel immunisations are important in pre-trip planning to certain countries. Vaccinations that travellers may need include tetanus and diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid vaccinations.
Vaccination
Vaccination is one of the most important public health measures in the world.
Vaccination and antibodies
See how vaccines prepare your immune system to fight disease by taking advantage of the fact that the immune system can remember infectious organisms.
Vaccination: Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule
An easy guide to the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule showing which immunisations and vaccines you need.
Vaccinations for older people
Three common but potentially dangerous diseases that older people should be vaccinated against are influenza, pneumococcal disease and shingles (herpes zoster); diphtheria and tetanus boosters may also be needed.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough (pertussis) is one of the most serious bacterial infections that can affect children, especially those under 1, but it can be prevented with vaccination.
Whooping cough infant death sparks renewed push for vaccine at birth
The death of an infant from complications of whooping cough has led doctors to renew calls for babies to be vaccinated at birth.
Whooping cough rising in vaccinated children
Whooping cough (pertussis) is being increasingly seen in vaccinated primary school-aged children, experts say, suggesting a risk to younger siblings and a need for booster vaccination at age 18 months.
