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Types of immunisations

National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule consists of vaccinations given at specific times throughout your life.

All vaccines listed in the NIP Schedule are administered free of charge.

Eligibility for free vaccines under the NIP is linked to eligibility for a Medicare card.

Childhood

The following immunisations are recommended for all infants and children. They are available free of charge under the National Immunisation Program. This information can also be found in your child's Health, Learning and Development Record (green book).

Age	Diseases
6 to 8 weeks	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Rotavirus Pneumococcal Meningococcal B (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children)
4 months	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Pneumococcal Rotavirus Meningococcal B (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children)
6 months	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Pneumococcal (Children with specified medical risk conditions) Meningococcal B (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with specified medical risk conditions)
12 months	Meningococcal ACWY Measles, Mumps, Rubella Pneumococcal Meningococcal B (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children)
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

How to book

Morning and afternoon immunisation appointments are available every month in Swan Hill.

Book an appointment

Secondary school

Secondary school immunisations are provided at your child's school by our immunisation nurses.

The following immunisations are recommended for all secondary school students, and are available free of charge under the National Immunisation Program:

Age	Diseases
12-13 years (Year 7)	Human papillomavirus (HPV) Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)
14-16 years (Year 10)	Meningococcal A, C, W135 & Y

Enquiries

For enquiries about immunisation dates, consent or other matters related to secondary school immunisations, please contact your child's school.

Catch-up immunisations

If your child was absent from school and did not receive a scheduled immunisation, you can book an appointment for a catch-up immunisation at one of our immunisation sessions.

Book an appointment

Pregnant women

The following immunisations are recommended for pregnant women, and are available free of charge under the National Immunisation Program:

When	Disease
Before becoming pregnant	Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) (if a booster is required)
Between 20-32 weeks	Pertussis (whooping cough)
Any time	Influenza

How to book

Morning and afternoon immunisation appointments are available every month in Swan Hill.

Book an appointment

Adults

The following immunisations are recommended for adults and are available for free under the National Immunisation Program:

Age	Diseases
All adults	Influenza (adults with specified medical risk conditions Influenza (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults) Pneumococcal (adults with specified medical risk conditions) Shingles (herpes zoster) (adults with specified medical risk conditions)
50 and over	Pneumococcal (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults) Shingles (herpes zoster) (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults)
65 and over	Influenza (annually) (non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults) Shingles (herpes zoster) (non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults)
70 to 79 years	Pneumococcal (non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults)

How to book

Morning and afternoon immunisation appointments are available every month in Swan Hill.

Book an appointment

Additional vaccination for people with medical risk conditions

The following immunisations are available for free under the National Immunisation Program. These vaccinations are only provided to people with medical risk conditions specified:

Age	Diseases	Conditions
All ages	Meningococcal ACWY Meningococcal B	For people with asplenia, hyposplenia, complement deficiency and those undergoing treatment with eculizumab.
Over 6 months	Influenza	For people with specified medical risk conditions that increases their risk of complications from influenza.
Less than 12 months	Pneumococcal	For people with specified medical risk conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease.
Over 12 months	Pneumococcal	For people with specified medical risk conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease
Less than 5 years	Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)	For people with asplenia or hyposplenia, a single dose is required if the person was not vaccinated in infancy or incompletely vaccinated.

How to book

Morning and afternoon immunisation appointments are available every month in Swan Hill.

Book an appointment

Download a copy of the National Immunisation Program schedule from the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Other immunisations

If you are not covered under the NIP schedule you can still access our immunisation service. Fees are listed below.

Chickenpox (varicella)

Chickenpox (also called varicella) is usually a mild disease that lasts for a short time in healthy children, but can be more severe in adults.

The chickenpox vaccine is available for children 12 months and older through our immunisation clinics.

Cost

Chickenpox (varicella)	2024/25 Fees
Babies - As part of National Immunisation Program Schedule immunisations (see 'Childhood' above)	Free
All others	$72

How to book

Morning and afternoon immunisation appointments are available every month in Swan Hill.

Book an appointment

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough)

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that can affect people of all ages but it is more serious for babies. Whooping cough can be prevented by immunisation.

Cost

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough)	2024/25 Fees
Babies - As part of National Immunisation Program Schedule immunisations (see 'Childhood' above)	Free
Pregnant women from 28 weeks gestation during every pregnancy	Free
All others	$46

How to book

Morning and afternoon immunisation appointments are available every month in Swan Hill.

Book an appointment

Flu (influenza)

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection. It can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications, including pneumonia.

The influenza vaccine is currently the best way to prevent catching the flu.

Cost

Flu (influenza)	2023/24 Fees	How to book
Children aged six months to under five years	Free	Book an appointment at one of our dedicated flu clinics
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - from six months of age	Free	Book an appointment at one of our dedicated flu clinics
Pregnant women	Free	Book an appointment at one of our dedicated flu clinics
People aged six months and over with certain medical risk factors, including: heart disease severe asthma chronic lung conditions diseases of the nervous system which affect your breathing impaired immunity diabetes kidney disease haemoglobinopathies children aged six months to ten years on long-term aspirin therapy	Free	Book an appointment at one of our dedicated flu clinics
People aged 65 years and older	Free	Book an appointment at one of our dedicated flu clinics
All others	$20 through our immunisation clinics (cost may vary at other providers)	Book an appointment at one of our dedicated flu clinics

How to book

Book an appointment

More information

Find out more about influenza at the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing website.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a contagious disease, spread by body fluids from infected people. It can affect people of all ages, but can be prevented with vaccination.

Cost

Hepatitis B	2024/25 Fees
Babies - As part of National Immunisation Program Schedule immunisations (see 'Childhood' above)	Free
All others	$36

How to book

Morning and afternoon immunisation appointments are available every month in Swan Hill.

Book an appointment

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

The MMR vaccine is a highly effective vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella. Measles is the most infectious of all vaccine-preventable diseases. It can have serious complications.

Cost

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)	2024/25 Fees
Babies - As part of National Immunisation Program Schedule immunisations (see 'Childhood' above)	Free
Women who are of child bearing age and require a boster	Free

How to book

Morning and afternoon immunisation appointments are available every month in Swan Hill.

Book an appointment

Meningococcal B

Meningococcal disease is contagious. It is transmitted through close and prolonged contact with mucus from an infected person.

Meningococcal can affect people of all ages, but can be prevented with vaccination.

Cost

Meningococcal B	2024/25 Fees
Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children aged six weeks to two years	Free
All others	$123

How to book

Morning and afternoon immunisation appointments are available every month in Swan Hill.

Book an appointment

Travel vaccinations

Our immunisation clinics are not authorised to administer travel vaccinations.

If you're traveling to a disease-risk area, see your GP or a travel vaccination clinic. Do this six months before your departure date.

If you or your child have received any travel vaccinations prior to attending our immunisation clinic for regular scheduled immunisations, it is crucial to inform our immunization nurses beforehand. Certain travel vaccinations may impact the timing of your regular scheduled immunisations.

Find out more about travel vaccinations at the Australian Government Department of Health website.