All you need to know about childhood vaccinations

Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG)

• This is a single dose vaccine.
• Administered via injection on upper right arm
• This vaccine offers protection against tuberculosis, which is a disease that can affect people of all ages. TB causes long bouts of coughing, chest pain, night sweats, weight loss and even death if left untreated. In young children, the TB germ may infect the brain and cause meningitis, or it could also enter the blood and spread to other parts of the body. TB can kill young people. The best protection for young children against opportunistic diseases caused by the TB germ is the BCG vaccine.
• Potential side effects of this vaccine include:
  • Soreness or discharge where the injection was given
  • High temperature
  • Headache
  • Swollen glands under the armpit on the arm that received the vaccine shot

Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) – 0 dose

• This is the first dose taken at birth. The next dose is given when your child is 6 weeks old.
• Administered via drops by mouth
• This vaccine protects against the poliovirus which is a highly infectious disease that invades the nervous system and can lead to total paralysis. The virus primarily affects children 5 years and below.
• It is uncommon to get side effects from this vaccine –  diarrhoea, headache and muscle pain have been experienced by a very small percentage of babies receiving the vaccine.

Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) - 1

• This is the second and final dose of OPV, taken at 6 weeks.
• It is administered via drops by mouth.
• This vaccine protects against the poliovirus which is a highly infectious disease that invades the nervous system and can lead to total paralysis. The virus primarily affects children 5 years and below.
• Oral Polio Vaccine is given by mouth, providing protection in the mouth, in the intestines, and then in the blood. Protection in the mouth and intestines are important as polioviruses infect the mouth and multiply in the intestines.
• It is uncommon to get side effects from this vaccine –  diarrhoea, headache and muscle pain have been experienced by a very small percentage of babies receiving the vaccine.

DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV (1)

• This is the first of four doses, and is given at 6 weeks old. The next dose is given when your child is 10 weeks old. The third dose is given when your child is 14 weeks old, and the fourth and last dose   when your child is 18 months old.
• It is administered via injection in left thigh
• This is a six in one vaccine. It offers protection against Diphtheria. Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Polio (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B and Hepatitis B
• Diphtheria is a dangerous bacterial disease which makes it difficult to breathe. Children who survive diphtheria disease suffer permanent damage such as blindness, deafness and brain damage.
• Tetanus (lockjaw) occurs when a toxin produced by a tetanus germ from the soil enters a cut or wound. The toxin can cause muscle spasms, breathing and heart problems, and death. The chances of dying from this condition are very high.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) starts with a headache, fever and cough. The heavy coughing bouts make it hard for a child to eat, drink or even breathe.
• Polio is a highly infectious disease that invades the nervous system and can lead to total paralysis. The virus primarily affects children 5 years and below.
• Inactivated Polio Vaccine is an injectable vaccine that provides protection in the blood .  The IPV and OPV evoke different immune responses. To help eradicate polio, and get the benefits of both, they should be used together.
• Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib) is an illness that affects children under the age of 5 years, and death from Hib disease is common in children under the age of 1.
• Hepatitis B: It is an infection of the liver that can cause liver damage, liver cancer and death later in life.
• Potential side effects of this vaccine include:
  • Swelling, redness and pain may occur at the site where the injection is given.
  • Fever for a short time after immunization.
  • Symptoms usually appear the day after vaccination and last between 1-3 days.

Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV) - 1

• This is the first dose of two doses. The second dose is taken when your child is 14 weeks old.
• It is administered as liquid by mouth
• This vaccine offers protection against rotaviruses which are the most common cause of severe diarrhoeal disease in infants and young children.
• Potential side effects are rare and mild, but may include diarrhea, vomiting and irritation.

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) - 1

• This is the first of three doses of the PCV. The second dose is taken when your child is 14 weeks old and the last dose at 9 months old.
• Administered via injection in the right thigh
• This vaccine offers protection against meningitis, septicemia and pneumonia as well as to milder infections such as sinusitis and otitis media.
• Potential side effects of this vaccine include:
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Pain or tenderness
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fussiness (irritability)
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches or joint pain
  • Chills

DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV (2)

• This is the second dose of DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV. The first dose is given at 6 weeks old. The third dose is given at 14 weeks old and the last dose at 18 months old.
• It is administered via injection in the left thigh
• This is a six in one vaccine. It offers protection against Diphtheria. Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Polio (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B and Hepatitis B
• Diphtheria is a dangerous bacterial disease which makes it difficult to breathe. Children who survive diphtheria disease suffer permanent damage such as blindness, deafness and brain damage.
• Tetanus (lockjaw) occurs when a toxin produced by a tetanus germ from the soil enters a cut or wound. The toxin can cause muscle spasms, breathing and heart problems, and death. The chances of dying from this condition are very high.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) starts with a headache, fever and cough. The heavy coughing bouts make it hard for a child to eat, drink or even breathe.
• Polio is a highly infectious disease that invades the nervous system and can lead to total paralysis. The virus primarily affects children 5 years and below.
• Inactivated Polio Vaccine is an injectable vaccine that provides protection in the blood .  The IPV and OPV evoke different immune responses. To help eradicate polio, and get the benefits of both, they should be used together.
• Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib) is an illness that affects children under the age of 5 years, and death from Hib disease is common in children under the age of 1.
• Hepatitis B: It is an infection of the liver that can cause liver damage, liver cancer and death later in life.
• Potential side effects of this vaccine include:
  • Swelling, redness and pain at the site where the injection is given.
  • Fever for a short time after immunization.
  • Symptoms usually appear the day after vaccination and last between 1-3 days.

DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV (3)

• This is the third dose of DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV. The first dose is given at 6 weeks old. The second dose is given at 10 weeks old and the last dose at 18 months old.
• Administered via injection in left thigh
• This is a six in one vaccine. It offers protection against Diphtheria. Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Polio (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B and Hepatitis B
• Diphtheria is a dangerous bacterial disease which makes it difficult to breathe. Children who survive diphtheria disease suffer permanent damage such as blindness, deafness and brain damage.
• Tetanus (lockjaw) occurs when a toxin produced by a tetanus germ from the soil enters a cut or wound. The toxin can cause muscle spasms, breathing and heart problems, and death. The chances of dying from this condition are very high.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) starts with a headache, fever and cough. The heavy coughing bouts make it hard for a child to eat, drink or even breathe.
• Polio is a highly infectious disease that invades the nervous system and can lead to total paralysis. The virus primarily affects children 5 years and below.
• Inactivated Polio Vaccine is an injectable vaccine that provides protection in the blood .  The IPV and OPV evoke different immune responses. To help eradicate polio, and get the benefits of both, they should be used together.
• Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib) is an illness that affects children under the age of 5 years, and death from Hib disease is common in children under the age of 1.
• Hepatitis B: It is an infection of the liver that can cause liver damage, liver cancer and death later in life.
• Potential side effects of this vaccine include:
  • Swelling, redness and pain at the site where the injection is given.
  • Fever, for a short time after immunization.
  • Symptoms usually appear the day after vaccination and last between 1-3 days.

Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV) - 2

• This is the last dose of RVV
• It is administered as liquid by mouth
• This vaccine offers protection against rotaviruses which are the most common cause of severe diarrhoeal disease in infants and young children.
• Side effects are rare and mild, but may include fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and irritation

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) - 2

• The second dose of the PCV given at 14 weeks old. The last dose is taken at 9 months
• Administered via injection in the right thigh
• This vaccine offers protection against meningitis, septicemia and pneumonia as well as to milder infections such as sinusitis and otitis media.
• Potential side effects of this vaccine include:
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Pain or tenderness
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fussiness (irritability)
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches or joint pain
  • Chills

MR (1), Measles & Rubella combined Vaccine

• The Rubella vaccine was introduced into the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in 2024.
• The first of two doses of the MR vaccine. The second dose is administered with the measles vaccine at 12 months old.
• Administered via injection in the left thigh
• This vaccine offers protection against measles and rubella. Measles is often a severe disease, frequently complicated by middle-ear infection or bronchopneumonia. Rubella causes a mild exanthematous illness, along with few constitutional symptoms, and occurs most commonly in childhood.
• Potential side effects of this vaccine include:
  • Redness, swelling and sore feeling for 2 to 3 days
  • Around 7 to 11 days after the injection, babies or young children may feel a bit unwell or develop a high temperature for about 2 or 3 days

Read more about measles

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) - 3

• This is the last of three doses of the PCV. The first dose is given when your child is  6 weeks old, and the second dose at 14 weeks old.
• Administered via injection in the right thigh
• This vaccine offers protection against meningitis, septicemia, and pneumonia as well as to milder infections such as sinusitis and otitis media.
• Potential side effects of this vaccine include:
  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Pain or tenderness
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fussiness (irritability)
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches or joint pain
  • Chills

MR (2), Measles & Rubella combined Vaccine

• The Rubella vaccine was introduced into the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in 2024.
• The second of two doses of the MR vaccine.
• Administered via injection in the right arm.
• This vaccine offers protection against measles and rubella. Measles is often a severe disease, frequently complicated by middle-ear infection or bronchopneumonia. Rubella causes a mild exanthematous illness, along with few constitutional symptoms, and occurs most commonly in childhood.
• Potential side effects of this vaccine include:
  • Redness, swelling and sore feeling for 2 to 3 days
  • Around 7 to 11 days after the injection, babies or young children may feel a bit unwell or develop a high temperature for about 2 or 3 days

DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV (4)

• This is the fourth dose of DTaP-IPV-Hib-HBV.  The first dose is given at 6 weeks old. The second dose is given at 10 weeks old and the third dose at 14 weeks old.
• It is administered via injection in left arm.
• This is a six in one vaccine. It offers protection against Diphtheria. Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Polio (Inactivated Polio Vaccine) and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B and Hepatitis B
• Diphtheria is a dangerous bacterial disease which makes it difficult to breathe. Children who survive diphtheria disease suffer permanent damage such as blindness, deafness and brain damage.
• Tetanus (lockjaw) occurs when a toxin produced by a tetanus germ from the soil enters a cut or wound. The toxin can cause muscle spasms, breathing and heart problems, and death. The chances of dying from this condition are very high.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) starts with a headache, fever and cough. The heavy coughing bouts make it hard for a child to eat, drink or even breathe.
• Polio is a highly infectious disease that invades the nervous system and can lead to total paralysis. The virus primarily affects children 5 years and below.
• Inactivated Polio Vaccine is an injectable vaccine that provides protection in the blood .  The IPV and OPV evoke different immune responses. To help eradicate polio, and get the benefits of both, they should be used together.
• Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib) is an illness that affects children under the age of 5 years, and death from Hib disease is common in children under the age of 1.
• Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver that can cause liver damage, liver cancer and death later in life.
• Potential side effects of this vaccine include:
  • Swelling, redness and pain may occur at the site where the injection is given.
  • Fever for a short time after immunization.
  • Symptoms usually appear the day after vaccination and last between 1-3 days.

Tdap (1) – Tetanus, reduced strength of Diphtheria and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine

• The first dose of two Tdap booster doses for boys and girls. The second dose is given at 12 years old.
• Administered via injection in the right arm.
• This vaccine offers additional protection against Tetanus and Diphtheria and Whooping cough because immunity to these diseases decreases with time.
• Diphtheria is a dangerous bacterial disease which makes it difficult to breathe. Children who survive diphtheria disease suffer permanent damage such as blindness, deafness and brain damage.
• Tetanus (lockjaw) occurs when a toxin produced by a tetanus germ from the soil enters a cut or wound. The toxin can cause muscle spasms, breathing and heart problems, and death. The chances of dying from this condition are very high.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) starts with a headache, fever and cough. The heavy coughing bouts make it hard for a child to eat, drink or even breathe.
• Common mild side effects (lasting 1 to 3 days) of this vaccine include:
  • Pain
  • Swelling, redness at the site where the injection is given.
  • Irritability, low grade fever, tiredness or mild vomiting

Health services sometimes run Grade 5 Tdap catch up campaigns to provide extra protection through schools – this is an extra vaccine and you should still go to your clinic as normal to receive the Tdap (1).

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine (1)

• Delivered in 1 dose to girls 9 years and older.
• Administered via injection
• The vaccine provides protection against the Human Papilloma Virus which can cause cervical cancer.
• Possible side effects include:
  • Pain, redness, or swelling in the arm where the shot was given.
  • Fever
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Headache or feeling tired
  • Muscle or joint pain.
• The HPV vaccine is given as part of the school health programme at public and private schools, including special independent schools, rather than the expanded program of immunization and is available to Grade 5 girls, 9 years and older. For more information, contact your health care provider or child’s school and visit our HPV page.

The HPV vaccine was changed in 2024 to be delivered in 1 dose and not 2. The Department of Health can run catch-up campaigns if there is a public health need.

Tdap Vaccine (2) -  Tetanus, reduced strength of Diphtheria and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine

• This is the second of 2 Tdap booster doses for boys and girls. The first is given at six years old.
• Administered via injection in the right arm.
• This vaccine offers additional protection against Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping cough because immunity to these diseases decreases with time.
• Diphtheria is a dangerous bacterial disease which makes it difficult to breathe. Children who survive diphtheria disease suffer permanent damage such as blindness, deafness and brain damage.
• Tetanus (lockjaw) occurs when a toxin produced by a tetanus germ from the soil enters a cut or wound. The toxin can cause muscle spasms, breathing and heart problems, and death. The chances of dying from this condition are very high.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) starts with a headache, fever and cough. The heavy coughing bouts make it hard for a child to eat, drink or even breathe.
• Common mild side effects of this vaccine include:
  • Pain
  • Swelling, redness at the site where the injection is given.
  • Irritability, low grade fever, tiredness or mild vomiting

Health services sometimes run Grade 5 Tdap catch up campaigns for extra protection through schools – this is an extra vaccine and you should still go to your clinic as normal to receive the Tdap (2).