Immunisation

Overview

Immunisation protects you and your children against harmful infections before you come into contact with them in the community – which is why our Maternal and Child Health Service provides immunisation and professional advice to you and your children, free of charge.

How does immunisation work?

Immunisation uses your body’s natural defense mechanism – the immune response – to build resistance to specific infections. This helps you and your children stay healthy against serious diseases.

Immunisations are given to you by our nurses, who are approved accredited immunisers in accordance with the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 1995.

The Corangamite Shire Council conducts free immunisations for infants and school aged children as listed on the National Immunisation program Schedule.

Childhood Immunisation

Council conducts immunisation at Maternal and Child Health Centres throughout the municipality You are welcome to attend any centre by appointment, please telephone 1800 552 902 to arrange.

Maternal & Child Health Line (24 Hours) 132 229

• Bring your Medicare card and your child’s Health Record book to all clinics.
• Immunisation is also available by arrangement with your doctor, however a consultation fee may apply.
• All persons being immunised are requested to stay for a 15-minute observation period following vaccination.

Secondary school immunisation

Immunisation will be offered to secondary school students as listed on the National Immunisation Program Schedule.

Students are eligible to receive these vaccines for free through a school-based immunisation program.

For more information check out the Department of Health's information hub dedicated to providing schools with a diverse range of credible immunisation resources.

Adult immunisation

All adult immunisations, including the adult influenza immunisation, are provided through the General Practitioner (GP) Services in the Shire or other Immunisation Providers.

No Jab No Pay | Victorian Government Legislation from 1 January 2016

In an effort to improve childhood immunisation rates, the Victorian Government has modified the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

What this means for your family: Early childhood education and care services cannot confirm enrolment of your child unless the parent or carer provides documentation showing that the child:

• is fully vaccinated for their age
• is on a recognised catch-up schedule if he or she has fallen behind with vaccinations
• is on a recognised catch-up schedule if he or she has come from overseas and has not fully met the National Immunisation Program requirements
• has a medical reason not to be vaccinated

Only parents of children (less than 20 years of age) who are fully immunised or are on a recognised catch-up schedule can receive the Child Care Benefit, the Child Care Rebate and the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement. The relevant vaccinations are those under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) which covers the vaccines usually administered before age five. These vaccinations must be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

Children with medical contraindications or natural immunity for certain diseases will continue to be exempt from the requirement.

Conscientious objection and vaccination objection on non-medical grounds will no longer be a valid exemption from immunisation requirements.

Families eligible to receive family assistance payments and have children less than 20 years of age, who may not meet the new immunisation requirements, will be notified by Centrelink.

Immunisation Records

You can use the form below form to request historical immunisation records from prior to 1996.

Before you begin:

• Tell us your name, email address and phone number
• Read the Corangamite Shire Privacy Statement (opens in new window)

After you complete this form we will send you an email confirming we have received your immunisation historical records request

We may contact you about your request, if required.

What happens with your information?

We record your information on our customer databases and make it available to relevant Council staff in line with our Privacy Policy.

Click here to view form.

Families arriving from overseas

If you or your family are new to Australia from overseas, you may need to update your vaccinations or vaccination records to attend school or care in Australia.

Immunisation helps protect children and adults against harmful infections by using the body’s natural defence mechanism – the immune response – to build resistance to specific infections. Immunisation also helps you stay healthy by preventing serious diseases in the first place.

Updating your child's vaccinations in Australia

To arrange vaccinations in Australia:

1. Submit your details below, to help our team review your vaccination history. 
2. We will work out what vaccines you require to be up-to-date on the National Immunisation Program.
3. We will also add any of your current immunisations to the Australian Immunisation Register.
4. We will send you an individual immunisation catch-up plan that outlines what vaccines you require.
5. You can then attend one of our community immunisation sessions to complete your vaccinations once you have been sent an up-to-date catch-up plan from one of our immunisation staff.

You can also contact your GP for advice about vaccination catch-ups and updating your child’s overseas history to the Australian Immunisation Register.

If you need to contact us or have any questions, please email imms@corangamite.vic.gov.au or call the Immunisation Officer on 5593 7100.

Submit your vaccination details

If you or your family has arrived from overseas, please submit details of your child's past vaccinations via the form below prior to attending a community immunisation session. We can update overseas immunisation records on the Australian Immunisation Register for Corangamite Shire residents, or for children attending Corangamite Shire services.

Before submitting an application, please read the Corangamite Shire Privacy Statement.

Click here to view form.

Further information

If you require any further information regarding Council’s Immunisation Program please contact the Immunisation Officer on (03) 5593 7100 or email immunisation@corangamite.vic.gov.au

The Victorian Department of Health and the Australian Government produce publications and resources including some translated resources. Visit the Victorian Department of Health or Immunise Australia Program publications and resources.