Immunisation helps protects 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.
We offer both funded vaccines to eligible people who have or are eligible for a Medicare card and paid immunisation services to those who live, work, or study in Melbourne.
Our immunisation sessions are held at six community centres within Melbourne, including Carlton Learning Precinct, Community Hub at the Dock, Kensington MCH, Lady Huntingfield Family Services (North Melbourne), Narrm Ngarrgu Family Services (Melbourne CBD) and Boyd Community Hub (Southbank).
Immunisations are given by registered nurses who have extensive training in administering immunisations.
Please bring your child’s green health records book and your Medicare card if you have one.
See Getting immunised in the City of Melbourne for details on using the VaxApp website, including providing digital consent during the booking process, which reduces onsite administration at your appointment.
If you and your family are new to Melbourne from overseas, please submit your immunisation details prior to attending a community immunisation session to help us prepare a catch up plan for your child.
You can attend any time during the session times, however please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to session end time to allow for administrative processing and vaccination. Also, it is recommended you stay 15 minutes after the vaccine to ensure you or your child leaves in good health.
There are very few medical reasons to delay immunisation. Immunisation should only be postponed if your child is very unwell with a high fever (at or above 38.5°C).
Babies and children with minor coughs and colds without fever, or those receiving antibiotics in the recovery phase of an acute illness can all be immunised safely and effectively.
If in any doubt, contact us on immunisation@melbourne.vic.gov.au before delaying immunisation.
No. If you are travelling outside of Australia, please visit your GP at least one month prior to travel to get advice on vaccination for you and your children.
You can find more information on the Better Health Channel website or the Smart Traveller website.
The measles-mumps and rubella vaccine (live attenuated measles vaccine) is recommended for all people born during or after 1966, unless otherwise informed by your doctor.
The National Immunisation Program recommends the measles-mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine be given to children in two doses, ideally at 12 and 18 months.
MMR can be given as early as 6 months of age and is recommended to any child traveling overseas. This needs to be given by a GP and the routine 12 and 18 month immunisation will still be required.
The MMR vaccine is free to those under 20 and adults born during or after 1966 who have not received two doses of the vaccine.
The hepatitis B vaccine is free for some adults under the National Immunisation Program.
See our types of immunisation page for more details.
The Victorian Government's 'No Jab, No Play' legislation came into effect in January 2016. This legislation aims to reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases through increased immunisation rates in the community.
All parents and guardians wanting to enrol their child in an early childhood service in Victoria (including kindergarten) must provide evidence that the child is up-to-date with immunisations for their age or has an immunisation catch-up schedule or medical condition preventing them from being fully vaccinated.
Conscientious objection is not an exemption under the law.
Only parents of children 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 benefit.
The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.
We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.