Immunisation

Booking process

Council is now running regular community immunisation sessions at various community venues across the Shire, including Dunolly, Carisbrook, Talbot, and Maryborough.

Session days and times will vary to ensure all people can come along, including out-of-business hours options.

To improve our service delivery, we have now moved to using Vitavo, an online immunisation management platform

By using Vitavo, you can:                                                     

• Make individual appointments and see what community sessions are currently available
• Provide digital consent during the booking process, which reduces onsite administration at your appointment, and reduces paper usage
• Receive reminders to book future appointments when you or your child is due for their next vaccines
• Provide consent for children receiving Secondary School Immunisations

Click HERE or scan QR to register, book and manage your vaccination appointments online. 

Immunisation Calendar 2025

Immunisation Calendar 2026

Our Immunisation Team are running free immunisation sessions in Dunolly in 2025. 

The sessions are free for all vaccinations on the National Immunisation Programs, and for all ages.

Our sessions are to focus on reaching those who may not travel regularly into Maryborough and to ensure vaccinations are readily available for everyone.

DUNOLLY

Sessions are being held at the Dunolly Senior Citizens Club – 21 Bull Street, Dunolly. All sessions will be held between 10 to 11.30am on the following dates in 2025:

TALBOT

Sessions are being held for influenza vaccinations at Talbot ANA Hall – corner of Heales and Ballarat Street. All sessions will be held between 8.15 and 10am on the following dates:

• Thursday 21st May 2026
• Thursday 18th June 2026

Bookings are preferred for all sessions.

To book: contact Council’s Immunisation Services team on 0428 894 724

Email immunisation@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

Scan QR code:

Immunisation from an early age is highly recommended for all Australian children. Having your child immunised helps to protect them from the most serious childhood infections, some of which may threaten their lives.

 Funded Immunisations for infants and children

 The following immunisations are funded for people who have or are eligible for a Medicare card, as part of the National Immunisation Program. 

• 6 to 8 weeks: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenza B, hepatitis B, pneumococcal, rotavirus.
• 4 months: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenza B, hepatitis B, pneumococcal, rotavirus
• 6 months: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenza B, hepatitis B
• 12 months: measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal ACWY, pneumococcal
• 18 months: varicella (chickenpox), measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), haemophilus influenza B
• 4 years: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants are also protected against meningococcal B disease.

The National Immunisation Program provides the routine childhood immunisations recommended for all children in Australia, free of charge. Some groups are more at risk than others in the community and may need extra vaccinations. The Victorian government funds some extra vaccines from time to time. 

Paid immunisations for Children.

In addition to the vaccines provided under the National Immunisation Program, we offer optional vaccines that are not funded but can be purchased.

In some circumstances, your private healthcare may cover the cost of paid vaccination not covered under the National Immunisation Program. This will depend on the kind of cover you have in your policy. Contact your private health provider to find out if these vaccinations are included as part of your cover.

The following vaccines are recommended in addition to the funded vaccines and can be purchased via Vitavo. 

Meningococcal B - Bexsero

Ages from 6 weeks

Children can get the meningococcal B vaccine from 6 weeks of age. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can get the vaccine for free up to 2 years of age. 

Ages from 6 weeks to 11months

3 doses (8 weeks between 1st and 2nd with a booster at 12 months or greater)

Ages 12 months and over 

2 doses (8 weeks between doses)

Paracetamol for children under 2 years of age

If your child is under 2 years old and is having the meningococcal B vaccine, it is recommended that they take paracetamol (such as Panadol) with every dose of the meningococcal B vaccine. This is because of an increased risk of fever as a side effect associated with this vaccine.

1. Give a first dose of paracetamol 30 minutes before, or as soon as possible after getting the vaccine.
2. Give two more doses of paracetamol 6 hours apart.

It’s important that you buy paracetamol before attending an immunisation session when receiving the meningococcal B vaccine.

Learn more about meningococcal at Better Health

Chickenpox (varicella) booster

Ages from 12 months and over

One dose of the chickenpox vaccine is funded and given at 18 months as a combined MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella) vaccine. 

Two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are recommended to provide increased protection (to approximately 95%) and prevent breakthrough disease. 

An additional dose of chickenpox vaccine can be given at any age from 12 months, either before or after the funded 18-month dose (with at least a 4 week gap between doses).

Learn more about chickenpox (varicella) at Better Health

 Influenza vaccine

Additional resources:

Childhood immunisation factsheets

Immunisation Reminders

No Jab No Play

School Entry Immunisation Certificate

What if my child was immunised overseas?

     

Council provides immunisations to secondary school students as prescribed by the National Immunisation Program Schedule. Eligible students receive these vaccines at no cost, through a school-based immunisation program at Maryborough Education Centre and Highview College. 

Year 7 students are eligible to receive vaccinations against:

• Boostrix/Adacel - Diphtheria, Whooping Cough and Tetanus

• Gardasil Vaccine (one dose course) - Human Papillomavirus

Year 10 students are eligible to receive vaccination against:

• Menquadfi - Meningococcal A C W and Y

Some adolescents, particularly those who do not attend secondary school, may choose to access free vaccines from a general practitioner or Council's immunisation service.Parent/guardian consent is usually required. 

Parents may opt to have their child vaccinated at the Goldfields Family Centre.  This option is often recommended if your child is nervous, or has specific needs.

For more information, please contact your child’s school or Council’s Immunisation Coordinator immunisation@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au or 0428 894 724 

Additional information: 

Adolescent immunisation - Fact Sheet

Vaccination for Adolescents - Department of Health

Some infectious diseases can cause serious harm to pregnant women or their unborn babies. If you are planning to have a baby, try to get up to date with your routine immunisations before you become pregnant. 

All women should receive influenza, whooping cough and RSV vaccines during every pregnancy.  

Serious side effects or allergic reactions to vaccines are rare.

Immunisation before pregnancy

If you are planning for a baby, preparations you can make include: 

• Visit your doctor for a health check-up. The doctor will order a blood test to check your immunity to some diseases (including rubella, chickenpox and hepatitis B) to see if you are protected. Based on the results, the doctor may recommend vaccination.

• If you are not up to date with any of your routine immunisations, ask your doctor about catch-up doses. 

• Ask anyone else living in your house to be up-to-date with their immunisations to reduce their risk of passing diseases on to you and your baby.

• Avoid getting pregnant for at least one month after having the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or the chickenpox vaccine.  

Immunisation during pregnancy

Having the influenza, whooping cough and RSV vaccines during pregnancy is the best way you can protect your unborn baby. When you are immunised, your antibodies transfer from you to your developing baby. They receive protection in the first months of life when they are too young to be vaccinated.

Influenza infection can cause serious complications in pregnant women that can affect the unborn baby. Whooping cough (pertussis) infection can cause serious complications in babies, including death. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a common virus that can lead to severe illness like bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants.  This is why it is recommended that you are immunised against whooping cough, RSV and influenza during every pregnancy.

Influenza immunisation is free and recommended at any time during pregnancy. 

Whooping cough combination* vaccine is free for pregnant women from 20 weeks gestation during every pregnancy. It is recommended that pregnant women have the whooping cough combination vaccine between 20 and 32 weeks gestation, but it can be given up until delivery.

RSV vaccine is recommended and free for pregnant women between 28 and 36 weeks gestation. 

There is no evidence that these vaccines will harm your unborn baby. 

Additional information:

Better Health Channel - Vaccines in Pregnancy

Vaccination during pregnancy.

Council provides an annual influenza program for residents within the Shire. The flu vaccine is available at our community sessions for all people aged 6 months and older. This includes a flu vaccine specifically for people aged 65 years and older.

Appointments may be booked in our usual community sessions, or we hold two dedicated flu clinics at the Community Hub (behind the Nolan St office) in May each year.

Flu vaccines are available to some people for free, including: 

The cost of the flu vaccine is $20 per dose for anyone not eligible for publicly funded vaccine. We are accepting credit card and EFTPOS payments only. 

Workplace Flu Program

Council offers a seasonal flu program for small businesses located within the Shire.  Our team of qualified Immunisation Nurses will visit your workplace and vaccinate employees on site.  This is a convenient way to ensure your staff stay healthy, and minimises sick leave.

Our programs run in April - June.

If you wish to participate, please contact the Immunisation Coordinator via immunisation@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au or 0428 894 724.

Additional information:

Flu (influenza) - immunisation

                                                               

We know immunisations are important to protect babies and children against preventable illness but did you know Immunisations for older people are equally important? As you get older, your immune system can become less effective at protecting you from some diseases. 

Immunisation is a proven and safe way to protect yourself against diseases that can cause serious illness, and sometimes even death. It can also help stop the spread of diseases by protecting others in your community too.

Immunisations for older people have been overlooked for a long time, but we now know we can prevent many diseases that can cause big problems later in life. This can help you live a longer, healthier and more comfortable life.

The Australian Government gives some immunisations for older people at no charge under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). 

The following immunisations are free:

• Shingrix (shingles) – for people aged over 65 years
• Influenza (flu) – is an annual vaccine for people aged 65 years and over, and for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You will need to get this every year
• Pneumococcal – for healthy people aged 70 years and over, or healthy 50 years and over Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, or any age with a specified medical risk condition.
  
  

Other immunisations recommended for a small fee include:

• Whooping cough/Tetanus/Diphtheria - boosters required every 10 years and in anticipation of a new addition to the family.

RSV:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that can cause a range of severe respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Currently there is no free RSV vaccine for seniors.  It is available for purchase for people over 60 years, and immunocompromised individuals over 50 years of age.  The vaccine is expensive, but will provide up to 5 years protection against this very contagious illness.

Additional information:

Better Health Channel - Vaccines for Older People

Immunisation History Statements are a listing of all your vaccinations recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). The AIR is a national register that records vaccines given to people of all ages in Australia. 

The AIR is a national register that records vaccines given to people of all ages in Australia. This includes:

• all vaccines funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP)

• most school-based vaccines provided under State and Territory vaccination programs

• most privately funded vaccines, including influenza and travel vaccines

It’s up to your vaccination provider to record your vaccinations on the AIR.

You can get a statement from the AIR. You may need an Immunisation History Statement for child care and school enrolment, or employment at certain workplaces. Centrelink uses them to determine eligibility for some family assistance payments.

You can also check the statement to make sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date.

For a child under 14 years, a parent/carer can get a child’s statement. 

The quickest way to get your child’s statement is by using your Medicare online account. Do this through the:

• myGov website

• Express Plus Medicare mobile app

You can save and email the statement directly to your child’s pre-school or childcare centre.

You can also call the AIR enquiries line. It can take up to 10 business days to get your statement in the post. 

For adults and teenagers aged over 14 years, you will need to obtain your own statement. This is done by:

• Online, by setting up their own myGov account and then accessing their Medicare online account 

• through the Express Plus Medicare mobile app

• by calling the AIR enquiries line. It can take up to 10 business days to get your statement in the post

• by asking their doctor or immunisation provider to print a copy for them.

Young people aged 14 years or older can give Services Australia permission for their parents to access their immunisation history statement. 

Updating your details

The AIR uses your details from your Medicare record.

Make sure the personal details you have recorded with Medicare are up to date. You can update your Medicare details online using your Medicare online account. Do this through: 

• myGov website

• Express Plus Medicare mobile app

If you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, you can choose to record this in your Medicare details. 

Immunisation Request Form

The Immunisation Team can provide you with a list of the immunisations you have received from our service.  Other immunisations provided by another service should be available from the Australian Immunisation Register. 

Email:  immunisation@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

Phone:  0428 894 724

• If you have recently moved to Australia and have had children immunised overseas we can facilitate an Australian Immunisation History statement and a catch-up plan to be protected from disease in Australia.  Please call us to enquire.

• If you are aware that your child has missed scheduled immunisations, we can develop a catch-up schedule in order to get them up to date.

COVID-19 vaccinations are free for everyone in Australia, including those without a Medicare card. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends a primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all people aged 18 years and over and some younger people with risk factors. It also recommends regular COVID-19 vaccinations (known as boosters) based on a person's age and specified medical condition.

Recommendations as of October 2025  Click here.

Currently, the Central Goldfields Shire Immunisation Service is unable to provide the COVID vaccine to the community, however there are numerous other locations available.

Check your eligibility to receive a COVID-19 booster here.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccinations, including locations to book. 

Where are you located?  Central Goldfields Family Centre.  100 Napier St, Maryborough.  3465

What if my child is unwell on the day of appointment?  Immunisation is not advisable if your child has a fever over 38 degrees.  Please keep child home if they are infectious.  For further advice, please call Immunisation Coordinator on 0428 894 724

What if I have side effects?  If you experience side effects after immunisation, most are mild and can be managed at home by drinking extra fluids, resting, and using a cool wet cloth on the injection site for discomfort. Paracetamol or ibuprofen may help if you have a fever or pain but always follow dosage instructions. Do not overdress if feeling hot and keep the area of injection moving. If the side effects are severe, unexpected, or persistent, or if you are worried about your health or your child's condition, seek medical advice promptly. For any signs of a serious allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, rash, or swelling, call emergency services immediately. Side effects should also be reported to your state or territory health authority.

What do I need to bring?  Please bring your child's green book "Child Health Record" so that immunisations can be checked and recorded, as well as your Medicare card.  If you are paying for a private vaccine, please bring a bank card (we do not take cash).

Do I or my child need Paracetamol before immunisation?  Paracetamol is generally not recommended before most immunizations, but there is a specific exception for infants under 2 years receiving the meningococcal B (Bexsero) vaccine—where paracetamol should be given to help prevent high fever, starting 30 minutes before or immediately after vaccination and followed by two more doses 6 hours apart, even if there is no fever.  You may take Paracetamol after immunisation if pain or fever develops.

Do you give Covid-19 vaccinations?  Councils are not permitted to give Covid-19 vaccinations at this stage.  Please refer to the website Find a Covid-19 vaccine clinic.

Do you give BCG vaccines (tuberculosis)?  No.  Click here to find a specialty clinic near you.

How long will it take to get my immunisation on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)?  Our software reports your immunisation to AIR instantly.

How do I get my child's Immunisation record to provide to childcare or school?  You can access your Immunisation History Satement via my.gov or the Medicare app.  You can also request a copy from our Immunisation Service.

What immunisations do Year 7's receive?  They receive the HPV vaccine (protects against the most common cervical cancer) and the combined Whooping Cough, Diphtheria and Tetanus.

Why does my son need the HPV vaccine?  He doesn't have a cervix!  HPV isn't just a women's issue. The virus causes cancers in men too, including cancers of the penis, anus, and the back of the throat, which are increasingly common and often more prevalent than cervical cancer in some regions. Boys vaccinated against HPV are much less likely to develop these cancers later in life

What immunisations do Year 10's receive?  They receive the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine.  Meningococcal is rare, but has a high mortality rate, as well as severe outcomes.