Who provides immunisations in Victoria
Who provides immunisations in Victoria
Who provides immunisations in Victoria?
- COVID-19 vaccines
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see
COVID-19 vaccination
.
People need immunisation in lots of different situations. Which vaccines you need depends on your health, age, lifestyle and occupation (HALO). The
Immunisation for Life
infographic
External Link
can help you determine which immunisations you may need.
Who delivers the vaccines can also vary depending on why you need the vaccination.
Immunisations provided by local councils
In Victoria, local councils play a large role in providing immunisation services. They:
provide free immunisations at community immunisation clinics to eligible persons under the
National Immunisation
Program
External Link
(these are popular with families of infants, children and adolescents)
provide free
immunisations to adolescents at all secondary schools
in the local council area
provide immunisation services for recently arrived refugees.
Immunisations provided by GPs and medical clinics
Doctors (
GPs
) or nurses employed at medical clinics deliver a range of immunisation services, including giving immunisations that are provided on the
National Immunisation
Program Schedule
External Link
, and Victorian government funded immunisation programs.
Although some immunisations are provided for free to eligible persons under the National Immunisation Program and Victorian government funded immunisation programs, a service fee may apply. If you are not eligible for a free vaccine, you can also purchase the vaccine and have it given to you by your GP or medical clinic nurse.
Immunisations provided in hospital
Public hospitals in Victoria provide free vaccines under the National Immunisation Program and Victorian government funded immunisation programs on an as-needs basis if they are recommended or required for a person with a medical condition. Maternity services also provide immunisations for pregnant women and after pregnancy. Immunisations can also be provided by private hospitals.
The Royal Children’s Hospital, Monash Health and Western Health provide hospital-based immunisation services for their in-patients and out-patients in the hospital. These services also provide specialist immunisation advice for:
families concerned about the safety of a vaccine for their child
people who have experienced a vaccine adverse event following immunisation.
Immunisations provided by travel medicine clinics
Travel medicine is a specialist area that can require specially trained doctors to determine what vaccines are needed, and to provide them. Some GPs can also provide travel vaccinations. Some vaccinations (such as those for
yellow
fever
External Link
) are only provided by specific, accredited clinics.
Immunisations provided in hospital
Public hospitals in Victoria provide free vaccines under the National Immunisation Program on an as-needs basis if they are recommended or required for a person with a medical condition. Maternity services also provide immunisations for pregnant women and after pregnancy. Immunisations can also be provided by private hospitals.
The Royal Children’s Hospital, Monash Health and Western Health provide hospital based immunisation services for their in-patients and out-patients in the hospital. These services also provide specialist immunisation advice for:
families concerned about the safety of a vaccine for their child
people who have experienced a vaccine adverse event following immunisation.
Immunisations provided by travel medicine clinics
Travel medicine is a specialist area that can require specially trained doctors to determine what vaccines are needed, and to provide them. Some GPs can also provide travel vaccinations. Some vaccinations (such as those for
yellow fever
) are only provided by specific, accredited clinics.
Immunisations provided by pharmacists
Some specially qualified pharmacist immunisers can provide vaccines for:
COVID-19
Herpes zoster / varicella zoster
– 50 years of age and over.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
– 12 years of age and over
Influenza (flu)
– 5 years of age and over
Japanese encephalitis
Measles
,
mumps
and
rubella
(MMR) – 15 years of age and over
Meningococcal ACWY
– 15 years of age and over
Mpox
Pertussis (whooping cough)
containing vaccines – 12 years of age and over
Pneumococcal
– 50 years of age and over
Respiratory syncytial virus
(RSV)
These vaccines are free to eligible people under the National Immunisation Program, however a service fee may apply.
If you are not eligible for a free vaccine, you can also purchase some vaccines and have them given to you by the Pharmacist Immuniser.
Other services providing immunisations
Some other services and health professionals that can provide immunisations include:
community health services
aboriginal health services
some maternal and child health centres
some obstetric services for pregnant women
immigration health services.
Where to get help
Your
GP (doctor)
Your local council immunisation service – visit
Know
your council
External Link
Immunisation Program, Department of
Health
External Link
, Victorian Government Email:
immunisation@health.vic.gov.au
National Immunisation Information
Line
External Link
Tel.
1800 671 811
Maternal and Child Health Line
Tel.
13 22 29
(24 hours, 7 days)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria
Community Pharmacist Pilot
– receive some treatments at a local pharmacy without needing to see a doctor for a prescription in Victoria