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Medicare Australia - The National Immunisation Program

Immunisation is an easy, safe and effective way of protecting your child against diseases that can cause serious complications and sometimes death. Immunisation will help your child stay healthy because it reduces the risk of serious diseases. The risks of these diseases are far greater that the risks of immunisation.

You can have your child vaccinated by your doctor, at an immunisation clinic or at some hospitals. If your child has not been immunised, or has missed a vaccination, it is easy to catch up. Just ask your doctor or immunisation provider for advice.

Medicare Australia’s national register the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register keeps track of vaccinations given to children under seven years of age who live in Australia. It was established because of a decline in childhood immunisation in Australia and an increase in preventable childhood diseases.

Children who are under seven years of age and enrolled in Medicare are automatically included on the Immunisation Register. Children who are not eligible to enrol in Medicare can be added to the Register when details of a vaccination are received from an immunisation provider.

Visit Medicare Australia’s website at http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au and click on the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register logo on the right.

Visit Immunise Australia at http://www.immunise.health.gov.au This website provides information about immunisation and Australian immunisation standards, including translations of some materials.

Based on accurate information available at this time, the Immunise Australia Program website will help you to make informed decisions.

http://www.nevdgp.org.au/info/immunisation/whatis_immunisation.htm is an informative document answering many the most frequently asked questions.
Reference: Understanding Childhood immunisation booklet - revised July 2000 (pp 61 to 63)
Immunisation Infoline on 1800 671 811 - © Commonwealth of Australia 2000

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule (0 – 4 yrs)

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