Immunisation Records for kids under 7

**Jo&Rich** · 29-11-2007, 01:38 AM

Hi, moved out here a couple of months ago, and wanted to give a bit of info for anyone with younger kids making the move. In Oz, all children under the age of 7 have their immunisations recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register; every time they recieve a vaccination, the doctor fills out a form, sends it off, and your childs records are updated. To claim certain benefits, such as help towards childcare costs, your children under 7 need to be on the register, and up to date with the Australian vaccination programme. When you arrive, if you make an appointment to see a doctor, and take your red book from England, the doctor will fill in an Immunisation History form, send it off to the AIR, and you will recieve reminders when your child is due any immunisations.
The Australian immunisation programme varies a little from that in England; in Aus, they immunise against Hep B, which is not offered in the UK, so all my kids are now on a catch up programme. Our UK GP was not so clever in filling out my kids records in their book, so it would be a good idea to check that everything they have had is recorded. If you want to get your kids in kindy, you can get about 70% (varies) of your fees paid, depending on if you work, how many kids you have etc, if their immunisations are up to date.
Alternately, if you did not want your kids immunised for any personal beliefs etc, you can get a form that states you object conciensciously.
Sorry for the essay, but I found this out the hard way (doctors filling forms out wrong etc) and if it helps one person I'm happy.
Joanne x

**peppa** · 29-11-2007, 10:16 AM

hi joanne
thanks for this post. we have 4 children 2 under 7. the 2 year old has just had his mmr he has also had the hep b as this has jst been introduced in the uk for children under 2. Our 10 month old had all her baby injections (2months 3months 4months) and has also just had her hep b, she is due her mmr in feb 08,we will hopfully be arriving in march so fingers crossed we are up to date.

off to check their red books (our doctor is a bit flaky!)
peppa. x

**gary12** · 29-11-2007, 11:51 AM

Joanne

Do you know if they offer single vaccines for MMR? My eldest has had singles and it will soon be time for our yougest to start them.

thanks Michelle

**Angelcake** · 29-11-2007, 07:07 PM

Thanks for posting.

I forgot to take my red book to my 4 yr olds last set of injections so will make sure its updated and will also check that the records are up to date for my 20mth old twins.

Thanks again, useful information
Angelcake

**Jo&Rich** · 29-11-2007, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by gary12

Joanne

Do you know if they offer single vaccines for MMR? My eldest has had singles and it will soon be time for our yougest to start them.

thanks Michelle

Hi Michelle
Sorry, I don't know if they are offered; my baby is due his MMR, and from what the doctor said, it is a triple jab, the same as in England. The fact that you can go to a doctor that charges you for immunisations, as opposed to a clinic, could possibly mean that you can pay for individual vaccines, if they order them in. Maybe someone who has had this done could advise, if you start a new thread on single vaccines? Joanne x

**racht** · 29-11-2007, 09:43 PM

That's great advice - thanks. I'm off to check red books are up to date. (Health Visitor does ours and isnt exactly thorough). Have a 3 year old and 1 year old. Any other advice greatly appreciated.

**Jo&Rich** · 29-11-2007, 09:52 PM

Forgot to add, there are also immunisation clinics that you can take your children to, which are also free. These are held in either mobile vans or sometimes in a building, and are not permanent; they visit an area once a month, (say first thursday of the month).

There are also child health clinics, where your children recieve their developmental checks, plus pre-school sight and hearing tests. This was not mentioned to me by my doctor or the Australian Immunisation Register; there is one that I used to pass, and called in to ask what they did. They seem to check kids progress more regularly than in England; my 12 month old is due a check now as well as at 18 months here. My three year old is having one, as is my four and a half year old this month too. Feel like I'm permanently at the doctors with them, all their checks and immunisations!

Joanne

**racht** · 29-11-2007, 10:17 PM

I know it probably sounds stupid but how do you register with doctors over there - do you just go to yellow pages (assuming there is an equivalent) and contact local GP to get on their books?

**Jo&Rich** · 29-11-2007, 10:53 PM

Hi, it's not a stupid question, I didn't know either. You can go to any doctor, just go in or phone when you need an appointment, and they'll give you a form to register when you go in; you don't register in advance. If you go to a bulk billing doctor it's free, if your doctor doesn't bulk bill, theres a fee to pay. The receptionist will give you a form to claim back part of the cost from Medicare. We've been to three different doctors before we found the right one.

You could do with getting a Medicare card as soon as you can; to do this, go into a Medicare or Centrelink office with your passports, birth certificates, proof of address etc, and they should issue you a temporary card straight away. You can also register online. You are covered by a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Aus for healthcare if you need treatment before you get chance though.

They have Yellow Pages here too, and all doctors details are on the internet as well.

Joanne x