My health
Vaccinations
Kindy kids are ready for more. Get their booster before age four.
When your child was a baby, they may have been immunised to protect against certain preventable diseases. Now that they’re going off to kindy it’s time to boost their protection.
This is because the protection against some diseases, like whooping cough, fades over time. So repeat vaccinations are given, which are known as boosters.
Boosters
In Australia, routine vaccinations help to protect all kids, especially as they go off to kindy or primary school. With kids in close contact with each other, disease can spread quickly.
Boosters should be given from three and a half to four years of age and again in high school.
These boosters protect against:
For more information on the specific diseases please see the diseases page.
Studies have shown that these boosters are very effective. They protect the child who has the booster and also stop them from passing diseases onto younger brothers, sisters and friends. More information on the booster vaccines is available on the vaccines page.
Boosters can be given from three and a half years, but if your child has missed theirs and is about to start school or kindy, it’s never too late. See your doctor or council immunisation clinic to find out what to do.
Side effects
Some people may have concerns about the side effects of vaccinations. However, vaccinations are safer than the serious diseases they protect against. Like any medications, these boosters can have some minor and short lasting side effects, the most common of these being soreness or redness at the injection site. See the vaccine safety page for more information.
Get your child’s boosters before they turn four
You can also get your child’s boosters at your health centre or GP. The vaccines are free, however GP consultation fees may apply. Alternatively, check with your local council for free immunisation clinic dates and times. See the service providers page for more information on where to get vaccinations.
