Immunisations in the first 12 months
Every baby in NSW is given a personal health record, known as the “blue book”.
The blue book is your essential guide to tracking growth, development, immunisations, and health checks from birth to age 5. Regular health checks with a local doctor or child and family health centre are a great way to check your child’s health and development, and discuss any concerns or answer any questions you might have.
These regular health checks are also an opportunity for babies to get their childhood immunisations.
Immunisations given according to the NSW Immunisation Schedule are the best way to protect children from serious, preventable diseases.
All immunisations on this schedule are free for children enrolled in Medicare.
Evidence of immunisation status must be provided for things like:
- childcare
- preschool
- school
- parenting and childcare payments through Centrelink.
Health checks and immunisations in their first year are generally at the following ages.
Birth
See the ‘Baby’s first days’ section above for information on the checks and immunisations babies will have when they’re born.
1 to 4 weeks
Between 1 and 4 weeks of age, families are contacted by the local child and family health centre to make the first couple of appointments and send information about joining a parent’s group.
If preferred, families can also make these appointments through their local doctor or paediatrician. It is important to note that local doctors and paediatricians may have a private fee for these appointments.
The first proper appointment will be at around four weeks old. Babies are weighed during this first appointment, and their length and head are measured.
The doctor or nurse will discuss:
- how you are settling in at home
- how feeding is going
- where and how your baby is sleeping
- immunisations
- general safety
- how you are coping with your physical and mental health.
6 to 8 weeks
At the 6–8-week appointment, babies are weighed and measured, and their growth will be tracked on the percentile chart.
The doctor or nurse will discuss:
- any changes or progress since the last visit
- parent’s group
- feeding support
- sleep
- the first few milestones your baby should be reaching.
The first scheduled immunisation will happen at six weeks and will include protection against:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus (lockjaw)
- Whooping cough (pertussis)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b
- Hepatitis B
- Poliomyelitis (polio).
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children will also receive the Meningococcal B vaccine for free.
4 months
The appointment at 4 months is mainly for giving the next dose of childhood immunisations.
It’s still a good opportunity to check in with the doctor or nurse about any concerns or questions.
The 4-month vaccines are a repeat of the vaccines given at 6 weeks.
They include protection against:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus (lockjaw)
- Whooping cough (pertussis)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b
- Hepatitis B
- Poliomyelitis (polio)
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children will also receive the Meningococcal B vaccine for free.
6 months
At the six-month appointment, babies will be measured, and their developmental milestones, like movement, will be tracked.
They’ll have a physical check, and the doctor or nurse will discuss things like:
- changes in sleep
- changes in feeding
- introducing solid foods and water.
- managing teething
- looking after new baby teeth.
The 6-month vaccines include protection against:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus (lockjaw)
- Whooping cough (pertussis)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b
- Hepatitis B
- Poliomyelitis (polio).
Influenza vaccine
From 6 months, it's recommended that children have the annual influenza vaccine. Getting the flu vaccine each year protects your child from the most common type of influenza virus around each season.
Children aged 6 months to <5 years are eligible for a free influenza vaccine every year. Some providers may charge an administration or consultation fee. It is best to ask your provider if this applies to you.
12 months
At the 12-month appointment, babies will be measured, and their developmental milestones, like movement, will be tracked.
The doctor or nurse will discuss:
- development of movement and speech
- transitioning to solid food as the primary source of nutrition
- teething
- transitioning from a bottle to a sippy, straw or open cup
- transitioning from infant formula to cow’s milk
- support for continuing breastfeeding
- any other questions or concerns.
The 12-month vaccines include protection against: