Immunisations and vaccinations (including flu vaccine)

Key points

View info on the flu vaccine here   

View info on booking/updating your immuninsation session

View info on the COVID-19 vaccine on the Victorian Government website    

  • We provide a free public immunisation service for adults and infants for all immunisations that are part of the National Immunisation Program - to see which vaccinations are part of our free program check the immunisation schedule on the Victorian Government Department of Health website. 
  • Please note that if you are not eligible for the vaccine as stated on the Department of Health website, then you cannot attend our service. Please make a booking with your local GP or pharmacy. 
  • Our immunisation sessions are held regularly at various locations across Cardinia Shire. While walk-ins will still be accepted, we recommend booking your session as it reduces wait times for everyone. 
  • Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting children and adults against many diseases. The risks of contracting these diseases are greater than the very small risks associated with immunisation.

Flu vaccinations

People eligible for the free flu vaccine through Council's 2023 immunisation program:

  • 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

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:

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

  • Our Immunisation team visit all Cardinia Shire secondary schools to immunise Year 7 students and Year 10 students.
  • Funded vaccines are provided in line with the National Immunisation Program
  • Parents and guardians must return a completed immunisation consent card for their child’s school, whether or not they give consent. 
  • If your child misses a school immunisation session, email mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au or call 1300 787 624 to access this immunisation. 

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

Book/update your immunisation session

The Cardinia Shire Council Immunisation services now uses the CIRV Portal provided by the Victorian Department of Health. First-time users will be required to sign up before booking a vaccination date.

You agree to the Cardinia Shire’s Privacy Policy by following the links below. We only use the personal information provided by you for the purposes for which it was collected and any other authorised use. Personal information may be used for planning and research purposes to improve the services to the community. We will never reveal personal information we collect to third parties unless disclosure is required or authorised by law. Please get in touch with the Council's Privacy Officer if you have any queries or need further information on privacy-related matters.

View immunisation schedule 

Book an immunisation session

Update/Cancel booking

Questions?

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

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