Immunisation for infants and children

Immunisation for infants and children aged 0–4 years in Victoria is provided under the National Immunisation Programme. These free vaccines can be accessed at local council immunisation sessions, nurse practitioners or through a general practitioner.

Key messages

• The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free essential vaccines to protect eligible people against a range of diseases.
• Additional NIP-funded vaccines are recommended for children with specified medical risk conditions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
• Resources are available to support the development of catch-up immunisation plans for eligible children.
• Promote yearly Influenza vaccine for all infants and children aged from six months to under five years and children of all ages with medical risk conditions.
• No Jab, No Play legislation requires children to be up to date with immunisations for their age to enrol in early childhood education services.
• A child must have an immunisation status certificate to enrol in primary school.

Hepatitis B birth dose

The hepatitis B vaccine birth dose can help to protect infants from life-long illness, serious liver disease and liver cancer.

View and download the following resources:

• Hepatitis B vaccination at birth fact sheet (multiple translations).
• Infant Hepatitis B Consent Form

Infant and childhood immunisation schedule

Refer to the National Immunisation Program schedule for the recommended immunisation schedule for infants and young children.

Review the Victorian Immunisation schedule for infants from six months to under 11 months travelling to measles endemic areas.

Refer to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation webpage for recommendations for Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) monoclonal antibody for infants and young children.

Catch-up immunisation

Resources are available to support immunisation providers to develop catch-up immunisation plans for infants and young children.

Influenza vaccine

Children younger than 5 years old and children of any age with certain medical conditions, are at higher risk of developing serious Influenza related complications. For more information on the NIP-funded influenza vaccine for all children aged from six months to under five years, and children with medical risk conditions, visit Seasonal influenza vaccine.