Vaccines – Why?

What follows is a variety of links and downloadable PDFs that will outline the facts of vaccines – including not only the effects of the disease, but side effects of vaccinations and what to ask, so you are informed.

Pre-Immunisation Checklist: What To Tell Your Doctor Or Nurse Before Immunisation (PDF)

This particular document is from the Victorian Government. It includes a checklist to take with you to your GP, so you know what is necessary. It also outlines the comparison of:

Vaccinations    The Effects of the Disease    The Side Effects of Vaccination

This way, you can make your own judgment about what you are given and have a better overall understanding of what schedules you should be asking for.

Diphtheria, tetanus,pertussis (whooping cough),hepatitis B, poliomyelitis (polio) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) – Immunisation information (64kb, pdf) – from the WA Department of Health.

This particular document gives an overview of some of the main diseases that are not only likely to be experienced by the young, but can also affect the elderly, and people who are currently recovering from severe illnesses (e.g. cancer treatments).

National Immunisation Program Schedule (PDF)

This gives you an overview of what is needed and when, in order to be up-to-date with vaccinations. From the Victorian Government health website.

Victorian immunisation strategy (PDF)

Every day, immunisation saves lives and makes it possible for Australians to live free from the illness and disability caused by many infectious diseases. This is the fact sheet from Victoria, which discusses the history of ‘why vaccinate?’

The development of efficient vaccines has resulted in a marked decrease in morbidity and mortality from vaccine preventable diseases in Australia and around the world. Most notably, in 1980, smallpox was declared by the world health organisation to have been eradicated. It is hoped that in the future other diseases such as polio and measles will also be eliminated. Today the fight against vaccine preventable diseases continues with huge mass immunisation programs. Australia currently runs a national immunisation program in order to protect our population from these nasty diseases.

The Australian Skeptics has established an information page with information on the myths and realities of vaccines and links to reputable sources.

Vaccinations are available for all ages -
Quick Guide: Catch-Up Immunisation for Victoria (241kb, pdf)

The Quick Guide: Catch-Up Immunisation has been developed for Victorian immunisation providers to create a catch-up immunisation schedule for people presenting with no immunisation history ensuring that they are immunised appropriately and recalled in a timely manner for their next immunisations.

Other Useful Links:

• • Influenza (Flu) Vaccine for Children (PDF 84KB)
  • Rotavirus Vaccine for Children (PDF 23KB)
  • Rotavirus vaccine – Rotateq Consumer Information (PDF 27KB)
  • NCIRS HPV Immunisation Provider Fact Sheet (VIC) (PDF 267KB)
  • Young Women HPV Information Brochure (VIC) (PDF 54KB)
  • Prevent Flu and Other Infections (PDF 328KB)
  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) (PDF 302KB)
  • Diseases prevented by the routine vaccination schedule (birth to 6 months) (PDF 125KB)
  • Diseases prevented by the routine 12 month vaccinations (PDF 112KB)
  • Diseases prevented by the routine 18 month vaccinations (PDF 94KB)
  • Diseases prevented by the routine 4 year old vaccinations (PDF 106KB)
  • Measles fact sheet (PDF 198KB)
  • Inactivated poliovirus vaccines (PDF 83KB)
  • Varicella (chickenpox) vaccination (PDF 81KB)
  • Indigenous Hepatitis A vaccination (PDF 80KB)
  • Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th edition (external link)
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine Pamphlet (PDF 110KB)

Information sheets:

• • Pre-Immunisation Checklist (PDF 64KB)
  • How do vaccines work? (external link)
  • Vaccine information for parents (PDF 281KB)
  • Medicare Australia ACIR forms (external site)

West Australian Vaccination Schedule – Consumer – up to date as of 1st April 2010
Annual Influenza vaccine for children aged 6 months to < 5 years — Western Australia – Paediatric influenza vaccine schedule 2010