Immunisations and vaccinations (including flu vaccine)

Flu vaccinations

People eligible for the free flu vaccine through Council's 2022 immunisation program

(If you do not fall into one of the groups listed below, from 1 June 2022 you can access a free flu vaccination through GPs and pharmacies. More info: Department of Health website) 

• People aged 6 months to less than 5 years
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older
• Pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
• People aged 65 years and older
• People aged 6 months and older with medical conditions putting them at increased risk of severe influenza and its complications, including:
  • cardiac disease
  • chronic respiratory conditions
  • chronic neurological conditions
  • immunocompromising conditions
  • diabetes and other metabolic disorders
  • renal disease
  • haematological disorders
  • children aged six months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.

Children under 9 years receiving their influenza vaccination for the first time require 2 doses of vaccine, spaced by a minimum of one month.

Visit the Better Health website (Victorian Government) for information on influenza ('the flu') including: 

• the flu vaccine 
• symptoms and diagnosis 
• difference between the flu and COVID-19 
• what to do if you get the flu

View immunisation sessions and book a session online

• To view and book immunisation session times, click the 'Book Now' button under each venue.  
• While walk-ins will still be accepted, we recommend booking your session as it reduces wait times for everyone. 

Vaccines provided at each age

In Victoria, a routine vaccine schedule is provided free of charge to:  

• children
• adolescents
• adults at increased risk of vaccine-preventable disease.

These vaccines are funded via the National Immunisation Program and the Victorian-funded immunisation program.

To view the immunisation schedule (that is, which vaccines need to be given at each age) visit the Department of Health website

How to show that your child's had their immunisations

• All children enrolling at an early childhood education facility or care service must have an immunisation status certificate. This shows all the vaccinations your child has received. More info: No Jab, No Play
• This certificate will be mailed to you after your child gets their final immunisation boosters at 4 years. 
• You can also get your immunisation history statement straight away using either:
  • your Medicare online account through myGov
    the Express Plus Medicare mobile app

You can also call the Australian Immunisation Register and ask them to send your immunisation history statement to you.

More info: Australian Government - How to get an immunisation history statement

What to do if immunisations are not up to date

• If your child’s immunisations are not up to date (according to the immunisation schedule), contact your GP, who will help you work out a catch-up program. You can also contact us if you have questions about a catch-up schedule.
• Please make sure you have a catch-up program in place before you attend one of our immunisation sessions. 

Secondary school immunisations

• We visit secondary schools twice a year to immunise Year 7 students, and once a year for Year 10 students.
• Funded vaccines are provided in line with the Victorian immunisation schedule.
• Parents and guardians must return a completed immunisation consent card to their child’s school, whether or not they give consent. 
• If your child misses a school immunisation session, contact us for information on how to catch up.

More info: Better Health Victoria website - Immunisation in secondary schools

Questions?

Contact our Environmental Health team 
Ph: 1300 787 624 
Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au