Childhood Checks and Immunisations
Hunters Hill Medical Practice provides a wide range of vaccination services, including childhood immunisations and travel vaccines. All vaccinations require you to make an appointment.
Childhood Immunisation
Routine childhood immunisations are an important way of protecting your child from serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, pneumococcal disease, meningococcal C disease, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), rotavirus, chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) and influenza.
Australia’s National Immunisation Program sets out the routine childhood immunisations recommended for all children in Australia. The National immunisation Program changes slightly from time to time, as new vaccines become available. For more information visit www.health.gov.au/immunisation or call 1300 066 055.
The National Immunisation Program recommends the following childhood vaccinations:
| Birth | Hepatitis B (usually offered in hospital). |
|---|---|
| 2 months |
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib); Pneumococcal; Rotavirus. |
| 4 months | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib); Pneumococcal; Rotavirus. |
| 6 months | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib); pneumococcal. |
| 12 months | Meningococcal ACWY; Measles, mumps, rubella; Pneumococcal. |
| 18 months | Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib); Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox); Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough). |
| 4 years | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio |
Things to tell your doctor or nurse
Before your child is immunised, make sure you tell your doctor or nurse if your child:
- Is unwell or has a temperature over 38.5 C
- Has had a severe reaction to a vaccine before
- Has any severe allergies
- Has had any other vaccines in the past four weeks
- Was a pre-term infant
- Has a chronic illness
- Does not have a functioning spleen
- Has a disease which lowers immunity, such as AIDS, HIV, leukemia, or cancer
Side effects after immunisation
Immunisations are safe and effective; however, some children may experience a reaction to a vaccine. In nearly all cases, the side effects of immunisation are nowhere near as serious as the symptoms a child would experience if they were to contract the disease. Common mild side effects include a mild fever and pain at the injection site.
Childhood health checks
Childhood health checks are carried out by our practice nurses and doctors. These may be performed at the same time as your child’s scheduled vaccination or booked in for a later date. Health checks cover areas such as height, weight, head circumference and review of milestones. If you have any concerns about your child’s development please raise these with your doctor or nurse during your appointment.
Call Us on 02 9817 2080 to book an appointment today!
