Getting your kids vaccinated is part of a parents’ ‘duty of care’ and most do it after ensuring they are fully informed of the benefits and any risks involved. But the misinformation that is rife on social media can add to parents’ concerns over giving even tiny babies multiple vaccines at the same time. There are also theories circulating that falsely state that the COVID-19 vaccines contain unnecessary or harmful substances.
They do not.
As the person ultimately responsible for getting the facts about vaccine safety, go to those who know: your child’s healthcare provider or GP. So, make a vaccine appointment to discuss your child’s risk from disease-causing pathogens and childhood illnesses today. These professionals, who understand evidence-based science, are legally bound to explain and provide written information on the benefits and risks of immunisation.
Why Should I Get My Child Vaccinated?
Vaccinations help to protect your child from many potentially serious childhood diseases, and in some cases, death. In Australia, many of these diseases are much less common (or non-existent) than in less fortunate countries thanks to our National Immunisation Program, but they can always return. As international travel ramps up again, we are likely to see cases of illnesses such as measles and chickenpox imported with incoming tourists. Childhood vaccination campaigns have stalled during the pandemic in more than a few countries, meaning it is likely there will be a resurgence of some of these diseases in the future.
Immunisation not only protects your child but their wider community. Also, parents who decline vaccines for their children may needlessly face penalties such as being refused access for preschoolers and government benefits withheld.
More Reasons to Get Your Child Vaccinated
Be aware that to be eligible for the government’s full Family Tax Benefit Part A -and the Child Care Subsidy payment, your children must be up to date with their childhood immunisations and have a complete vaccination record.
GPs and healthcare providers can provide your child’s routine vaccines and others that are not on the NIP schedule, such as those for a child with an underlying medical condition and for travel vaccinations.
Your Travelvax doctor is also able to provide vaccination records and advice on any immunisations your child will need for travel. Recently, the Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAGI) has approved the COVID-19 vaccine for use in children aged from 5 years so they too can be protected.
How Do I Get My Child Vaccinated?
Eligible children aged from 0-four years are able to receive free vaccinations by their immunisation provider under the Australian National Immunisation Program (1) (NIP). This government body recommends and in most cases funds immunisation programs against 13 common childhood diseases, others which can affect people with certain underlying medical conditions and the yearly flu (influenza) virus .
How Vaccines Work
Our immune response is activated when a vaccine is administered that contains an inactive, dead or weakened form or parts of a certain pathogen or antigen. The newer vaccines use the blueprint for producing antigens rather than using the antigen itself.
Whichever one is used, the body produces copies of the antigen, but not by giving your child the disease. All it does is alert the immune system to create antibodies that will fight the disease and prevent or lessen the chances of them becoming ill.
Your child’s shots train their body to fight the disease-causing organism if it ever encounters it, and some need to be administered weeks or months apart to give the body the best chance of creating antibodies and memory cells.
What is Herd Immunity?
Vaccination is the best way to bring about herd immunity, providing added protection to the wider population. When most members of a community are vaccinated in an outbreak response to a certain disease or circulating virus - like SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19 - herd immunity offers protection to those who cannot be vaccinated or whose immune system is not as robust, such as the frail elderly.
If your healthcare provider diagnoses your child with compromised immunity or significant immunosuppression, he or she will be more susceptible to disease.
Those with severe allergies to a vaccine component or serious health problems resulting in immune suppression might be unable to be immunised, but one of the major benefits of herd immunity is that these individuals will be protected against coming into contact with a disease-causing pathogen by living amongst multi vaccinated people.
Childhood vaccine schedule & immunisation requirements
According to the National Immunisation Program Schedule (2) the following vaccines should be given. (Note - additional vaccines or doses may be recommended for some children with underlying medical conditions or other risk factors - speak to your immunisation provider for more details) :
At birth: The recommended schedule for immunisation begins at birth. One dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is needed, usually given in the hospital.
At 6 to 8 weeks: Diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), rotavirus vaccine and pneumococcal.
At 4 months: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), rotavirus, pneumococcal vaccines.
At 6 months: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
At 12 months: Meningococcal ACWY, measles, mumps, rubella, pneumococcal.
At 18 months: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox (varicella), diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
At 4 years: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio.
(Children aged 5 years and above are now eligible in Australia for COVID-19 vaccinations).
Adolescent vaccination
Ages 12 to 13: Human papillomavirus (HPV), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis.
14 to 16: Meningococcal ACWY.
Every year: A yearly influenza vaccination is free and recommended for eligible children aged six months to five years or for those over six months of age with specified medical risk conditions.
The vaccines used for immunisations are rigorously tested and are safe for your child at the recommended ages. While a vaccine can be considered safe, there may still be side effects. Some of the more common ones are pain and redness at the injection site or fever. It’s extremely rare for a vaccine to have serious side effects, but if they persist or you have any other concerns, please contact your immunisation provider. In an emergency, contact your local emergency services.
References
- https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/immunisation-throughout-life/national-immunisation-program-schedule%E3
- https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/immunisation-throughout-life/national-immunisation-program-schedule%E3
