Adult Immunisation in Point Cook
Vaccines are not only for children. Adult immunisation is given at the clinic, and a GP can work out which ones are due for you based on your age, health, job, travel plans and any pregnancy.
Why protection needs topping up
Immunity from some childhood vaccines fades over time, and several infections become more dangerous with age or with an ongoing illness. Pregnancy, travel and certain jobs also change what is recommended.
Plenty of adults cannot remember what they had as children or when their last booster was. That is common, and records can often be traced.
Adult immunisation: commonly recommended vaccines
- Influenza, every year
- Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough boosters
- Pneumococcal vaccine for older adults and people with certain medical conditions
- Shingles vaccine for eligible age and risk groups
- Hepatitis B for some occupations and health conditions
- COVID-19 vaccines in line with current national advice
Groups with extra recommendations
- People aged 65 and over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults
- People with diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease, or reduced immunity
- Workers in health, childcare or aged care
- Grandparents and carers of newborn babies
- Smokers
Free vaccines and your immunisation record
Under the National Immunisation Program, several vaccines are free for adults who meet age or risk criteria, including influenza, pneumococcal and shingles vaccines. Eligibility criteria are updated periodically, and the doctor can confirm what applies to you.
Every vaccine given in Australia is reported to the Australian Immunisation Register. You can download your immunisation history statement through your Medicare account in myGov, which is handy when an employer asks for proof.
Vaccines linked to your work
Some jobs carry extra exposure. Healthcare and aged care workers are generally advised to be protected against hepatitis B, measles, chickenpox, whooping cough and influenza, and childcare workers against whooping cough, measles and hepatitis A. People working with livestock, such as in abattoirs or on farms, may need the Q fever vaccine, which requires a skin test and blood test first. Your employer may have its own list of required vaccines.
Things to mention before the injection
Tell the doctor or nurse about any previous reaction to a vaccine, severe allergies, medicines that affect the immune system, and pregnancy or plans to conceive. A mild cold is not usually a reason to wait, but a fever on the day is worth mentioning. Most vaccines can safely be given at the same visit, and you will be told if any need spacing apart.
Side effects and the wait afterwards
The Australian Immunisation Handbook advises staying nearby for at least 15 minutes after any vaccine, so a rare allergic reaction can be treated quickly. A sore arm, tiredness or mild fever for a day or two is common.
Contact the clinic if a reaction worries you. Call 000 for difficulty breathing or a swollen face, lips or throat.
Can the flu vaccine give you the flu?
No. Flu vaccines used in Australia contain no live virus. Some people feel achy for a day while the immune system responds, which is different from influenza itself.
Good moments to review your vaccines
Each year from around April is a good fit for the flu vaccine, ahead of winter. Other checkpoints include a health assessment, a new job, planning a family, overseas travel and a GP care plan review for anyone managing a chronic condition.
Fees and bulk billing
Childhood and adult immunisations are bulk billed with all our doctors. Some vaccines are not funded under the National Immunisation Program, so the vaccine itself may have a cost. See our fees page or call reception to check before your appointment.