Immunisation

What is Immunisation?

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective method of protecting children and adults against certain harmful diseases.  It uses the human body’s natural immune response mechanism to build resistance to specific infections.

The immunisation process involves two steps. First, you receive an injection or drops of a vaccine.  Second, your body produces an immune response to the vaccine, just as it would if you had caught the disease.  The benefit is that you don’t actually get the disease during this process.

If you come into contact with that disease in the future, your body is better prepared to fight it quickly.  Given the severity of some diseases, this may avoid serious illness or death.

Why Bother?

The risks associated with immunisation are far less than catching the disease itself.  There may be side effects such as pain or fever, but these can usually be managed quickly and easily.

Immunisation can have great benefits for everyone.  Because there is a lower risk of catching a disease, the cost, inconvenience and suffering of illness is avoided.  In addition, if more people in the community are immunised, it makes it more difficult for an infection to spread.  This can help to minimise or even eliminate serious diseases in our communities, countries and worldwide.

Access to Immunisation

The City of Whittlesea conducts immunisation programs for children and adults. To find out more follow the links to Immunisation Sessions, Immunisation for Children and Workplace Vaccination Services from the RELATED STORIES box at the top right of this page.

Other Related Links

• Australian Childhood Immunisation Register
• Immunise Australia Program
• Department of Human Services Immunisation Program
  

Refer to the RELATED LINKS box at the top right of this page for related immunisation websites.

Need More Information?

Contact Council's Immunisation Services staff :

Phone - 9217 2276
Email - info@whittlesea.vic.gov.auCouncil
Visit - Council Offices, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang 
Hours - 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday, except for public holidays.