Immunisation
Immunisation is one of the most effective public health measures available. The Public Health Unit oversees programs and provides general immunisation advice. Immunisation milestones occur throughout life. Immunisation requirements vary by age, health, lifestyle, and occupation.
NSW Immunisation Schedule effective October 2021
NSW Immunisation Schedule A3 Poster
Childhood Immunisation
Vaccines provide the best protection if they are given on time. In NSW vaccines are due at birth, 6-8 weeks, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 3 ½ - 4 years.
NSW Health Immunisation Programs
Childhood immunisations are available at your family doctor, Aboriginal Medical Service or through Campbelltown Council immunisation clinics.
Routine childhood vaccines are free wherever you choose to take your child, but your GP may charge a consultation fee.
Adolescents School Vaccination Program
The Department of Health and NSW Health work together to deliver the adolescent school vaccination program to schools in the south western Sydney catchment.
- Year 7 Human Papillomavirus (HPV - Gardasil 9) and Diphtheria Tetanus and Pertussis (dTpa – Boostrix/Adacel)
- Year 10 Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY - Nimenrix)
These programs run over 2 years with the opportunity to catch-up any outstanding year 7 and year 10 vaccinations in the following year (year 8 & year 11).
The school program adverse events is monitored through the VaxTracker surveillance program. Through this program, parents receive an SMS survey on their mobile phone and the Public Health Unit will follow up any serious adverse events which have occurred following school vaccination.
Parents can complete a consent form for their child and return it to school at any time, whilst their child is in year 7 and year 10.
Parents can withdraw consent at any time by calling the Public Health Unit or notifying the school.
All school vaccinations are uploaded onto AIR (Australian Immunisation Register) within 10 days.
School vaccination program resources:
- NSW Health School Vaccination Program
- Meningococcal ACWY information
- Getting your meningococcal ACWY at school – what to expect
- HPV Vaccine for teenagers
Immunisation Catch-ups
An up to date immunisation history is required across the SWSLHD for family tax benefits and childcare requirement. Therefore, catch-ups in some circumstances will be required.
Alternatively, you can complete the worksheet and fax it to us for completion. Please attempt to complete the catch up worksheet before faxing to the Public Health Unit and we will return the checked catch-up as soon as possible.
Ensure there is a GP/Practice Nurse contact name and legible practice telephone number and email so we can contact you if we have questions, and return your completed catch-up plan to you.
We have also attached links to a number of catch-up that may be helpful.
Catch-up Resources:
- Catch-up template
- Catch-up guidelines for individual vaccines for children aged <10 years
- NSW primary vaccination schedule for 6 weeks to <10 years
- Catch-up schedule for people ≥10 years of age (for vaccines recommended on a population level)
- Catch-up schedule for Haemophilus influenza type B (HIB) vaccination for children <5 years of age
- Catch-up schedule for 13vPCV
- Catch-up calculator
- Additional resources
Immunisation history statements
You can access your immunisation history statement through:
- Your Medicare online account through MyGov
- Express Plus Medicare mobile app
- Calling the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809
You can also get an immunisation history statement for your child if they are under 14. If your child is over 14, you can get their immunisation history statement if you have their consent.
Children who are over 14 years of age can get their own immunisation history statement using the methods listed above.
If you do not have Medicare, you will need an Individual Healthcare Identifier and link it to your MyGov.
Individuals who were in high school from 2003 to 2007 can email the Public Health Unit on SWSLHD-SchoolRecords@health.nsw.gov.au to request a copy of their school vaccinations. You will need to provide your name and any name changes, date of birth, schools attended.
Cold Chain
Vaccines are sensitive and must be protected from light and temperature fluctuations. Cold chain is the process of transporting and storing vaccines within the safe temperature range of +2C to +8C.
The NSW Health Vaccine Storage and Cold Chain Management online training module is accessible for all staff working in health facilities to ensure cold chain is managed appropriately.
Cold-chain Resources:
- National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’
- National Vaccine Storage Guideline resources
- NSW Health Vaccine Refrigerator Protocol
- Cold Chain Toolkit for Immunisation Providers
- Minimum/maximum vaccine refrigerator temperature chart
Cold Chain Breach resources:
- NSW Health Cold Chain Breach Protocol
- Cold Chain Breach and vaccine wastage reporting form
- Managing a cold chain breach
Ordering and receiving vaccines
Immunisation providers are responsible for maintaining their stock to meet vaccination program requirements. To order vaccines, providers will need to open a vaccine account (VAN) by contacting the local public health unit on 9794 0855.
Adverse Events Following Immunisation
An adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) is a notifiable condition. It is defined as “any untoward medical occurrence that follows immunisation. It does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the vaccine”.
AEFIs can be reported by filling out the National Adverse Events Following Immunisation Reporting Form or by calling the Public Health Unit on 9794 0855.
- Adverse Event Following Immunisation Control Guideline
- After vaccination
- NSW Health AEFIs
- Following vaccination – what to expect and what to do
- New South Wales Immunisation Specialist Service (NSWISS)
2022 Seasonal influenza vaccination
Vaccine providers can place an order online. The influenza vaccines available in 2022 through the National Immunisations Program (NIP) include:
- Vaxigrip Tetra and Fluarix Tetra for eligible people aged 6 months to 64 years
- Afluria Quad for eligible people aged 5 years to 6 years
- Fluad Quad for people aged 65 years and over
Influenza resources
- Influenza Vaccination Provider Toolkit
- 2022 influenza vaccine presentation and free vaccine eligibility
- ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2022
- Seasonal influenza vaccination - FAQs
2022 COVID-19 Vaccinations
Travel Vaccinations
General travel vaccination and health advice can be found on the Australian Government's travel advisory and consular information service website smartraveller.gov.au. You can also visit the World Health Organisation (WHO) travel and health or the CDC website for up-to-date information on specific outbreaks and other health risks related to travel in particular countries. Information gathered from websites should not be used as a substitute for a visit to a specialised travel medical centre. There are no government services providing free travel vaccination.
Travellers requiring a yellow fever vaccination need to visit a medical centre approved by the NSW Ministry of Health. A list of approved yellow fever providers in New South Wales can be found on the NSW Health website.
All medical providers and nurse practitioners wanting to prescribe the yellow fever vaccine must successfully complete the Yellow Fever Vaccination Course every 3 years. The Yellow Fever Vaccination Curse certificate must be provided to NSW Health.
To become an approved yellow fever vaccination clinic must complete the Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre application package and contact their local Public Health Unit on 9794 0855.
For further enquiries please call the Immunisation Team on 9794 0855 or visit the NSW Health website
