What is Infant Vaccination?
Infant vaccination refers to a sequence of immunisations administered to newborns, aimed at shielding them from serious diseases that could significantly compromise their health and well-being. It plays a vital role in safeguarding your child's health through the prevention of severe and life-threatening illnesses that could harm their well-being and growth.2,3
How do vaccines protect your child from disease?
Most vaccinations contain weakened or dead strains of the specific germ or their components. This stimulates their immune system to produce a response, including the production of antibodies that can recognise and fight off the actual disease. By getting vaccinated, you are helping to build your child's immunity, providing them with a powerful immune system that can recognise and effectively combat specific diseases, keeping them healthy and protected.2-4
Infant vaccine-preventable diseases
Vaccination is vital for community health. When infants are vaccinated, they contribute to herd immunity, which means that there are fewer opportunities for the disease to spread within the population. This helps protect individuals who are unable to receive vaccines due to medical reasons or are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms.5
Common Infant Vaccines
Vaccines are recommended for infants to ensure they are protected from serious diseases. The National Immunisation Program provides routine childhood immunisations for all children in Australia, free of charge. Vaccinations included on the National Immunisation Program for infants under 12 months help to protect your child against: 6
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis: Diphtheria can cause severe throat infections which can affect an infants breathing; tetanus (sometimes called lockjaw) can cause muscle stiffness and spasms; pertussis (whooping cough) can cause severe coughing and difficulty breathing.
- Hepatitis B: A viral infection that can cause liver damage, and can sometimes lead to liver cancer later in life.
- Haemophilus influenzae type b: A bacterial infection that can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and other serious illnesses.
- Polio: A viral infection that can cause paralysis and even death in children. The virus primarily affects the nerves that control muscle movement, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis. In some cases, the virus can also affect the respiratory system, causing breathing difficulty.
- Rotavirus: Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that commonly affects infants and young children, causing severe diarrhoea and vomiting.
- Pneumococcal disease: Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections in children.
- Influenza: Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral respiratory infection that can cause fever, cough, body aches, and fatigue. Babies and children under 5 are more likely to get severe influenza.7
Some infants may need additional vaccines if they have underlying medical conditions or are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin.6
The vaccines listed above are given to infants aged under 12 months. From 12 months of age, additional vaccines for other diseases are needed.6
It is important to give your child the recommended vaccines to keep them healthy and help them grow. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent serious illnesses that can be harmful or even deadly. By making sure your child gets all their vaccines on schedule, you are not only protecting their health but also playing a part in keeping the whole community healthy.1-5