Vaccinating your baby

Vaccines are safe and effective​

All vaccines given to Australian children are carefully tested to be sure they are safe and effective before being registered for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Vaccination is important because:

• it is the best way to protect your child from serious diseases
• you are protecting your child as well as the broader community
• the more people who vaccinate their children, the greater our ability to control serious vaccine preventable diseases.

When is it time to vaccinate?

The NSW Immunisation Schedule recommends children are vaccinated at:

• birth
• 6 weeks
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 12 months
• 18 months
• 4 years.

See the full list of vaccinations for children in NSW here.

Keeping to the schedule

• The schedule for your baby’s vaccinations is in your baby’s personal health record book.
• Keep records of your child’s immunisations for childcare, preschool and for school enrolment. Contact the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) on 1800 653 809 to check your child’s immunisation history.
• Vaccinate your baby as close as possible to the scheduled milestones. If they have a runny nose or a slight cold, they can still receive their shots. If they are sick with a fever, wait until they are better.  

During the vaccination

Some tips to help your baby manage pain during their vaccination injections are:

• ask the nurse or doctor to inject the most painful vaccine last
• hold your baby during their injection, reassuring them, remaining calm, and breastfeeding if it is possible
• you can ask the health staff about topical anaesthetics (which numb the pain) to use before the injection
• you can also discuss with the doctor or nurse if glucose solution is available or relevant for your baby.

Common side effects of vaccinations 

• Redness, swelling and tenderness around the area where the needle went in
• Babies may be unsettled or sleepy
• Small hard lump (nodule) where the needle was given may appear for a few weeks. This should not be of concern and needs no treatment.
• Fever (that is, a temperature over 38.5°C)

Tips to manage common side effects 

• give extra fluids to drink
• do not overdress your baby if they are hot
• put a cold wet cloth on the injection site to ease discomfort
• If your baby is under 3 months old and has a fever, you should call your doctor immediately.

Adult vaccinations

It is important that all adults living with babies (especially babies under six months of age) are up to date with all recommended vaccinations, especially but importantly the whooping cough vaccination. 

Vaccinations are given by:

• GPs or family doctors
• Aboriginal Medical Services
• Some local councils
• Some community health centres.

Contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 to find out what services are available in your area.