Immunisation

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Immunisation - facts and misconceptions
Australian research shows that some parents are concerned about vaccine safety and effectiveness. However, the risk of complications from childhood diseases such as measles is much higher than the risk of immunisation reactions. When parents of young children have had no direct experience of childhood diseases, it is easy to underestimate their effects and complications.

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Immunisation and HALO
The immunisations you may need are decided by your health, age, lifestyle and occupation. Together, these factors are referred to as HALO. HALO is defined as: • Health – some health conditions or factors may make you more vulnerable to vaccinepreventable diseases. For example, premature birth, asthma, diabetes, heart, lung, spleen or kidney conditions, pregnancy, Down syndrome and HIV will mean you may benefit from additional or more frequent immunisations. Age – at different ages you need protection from different vaccine-preventable diseases. Australia’s National Immunisation Program schedule sets out recommended immunisations for babies, children, older people and other people at risk, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Most recommended vaccines are available at no cost to these groups. Lifestyle – lifestyle choices can have an impact on your immunisation needs. Travelling overseas, planning a family, sexual activity, smoking, and playing contact sport that may expose you directly to someone else’s blood, will mean you may benefit from additional or more frequent immunisations. Occupation – you are likely to require additional or more frequent immunisations if you work in an occupation that exposes you to vaccine-preventable diseases or puts you into contact with people who are more susceptible to problems from vaccine-preventable diseases such as babies or young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic or acute health conditions. Workers in aged care, childcare, healthcare, emergency services or sewerage repair and maintenance need to discuss their immunisation needs with their doctor. Some employers help with the cost of relevant vaccinations for their employees.

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Immunisation and the immune system
Myth: The body’s immune system can cope with infection without the help of vaccines. Fact: The immune system is a collection of specialised cells and chemicals that fight infection. Each time an infectious agent is overcome, the immune system ‘remembers’ how it was defeated. If the immune system comes in contact with that particular infectious agent again, it can destroy it quickly – often before the person even notices any symptoms of illness. Vaccines work by introducing dead or weakened versions of disease-causing organisms to the immune system. If and when the immune system encounters the ‘real’ disease-causing organisms, quick recognition allows a rapid and effective immune response.

Immunisation and the infant immune system
Myth: Babies’ immune systems are protected via the placenta and through breastfeeding, so they don’t need vaccination.

Immunisation - facts and misconceptions

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Fact: The human immune system is already developed at birth. An infant is exposed to many germs as part of the normal birthing process, including from the vaginal canal, faeces and breast milk. Their immune system is immediately ready to meet these challenges. However, the immune system in an infant is inexperienced and needs to become active to protect against a range of bacteria and viruses from the start. An infant will receive some natural protection against diseases transferred from the placenta, but the level of protection depends on the mother’s exposure to the diseases either by illness or vaccination. Breastmilk is also valuable for protection, but the protection is mainly for germs that infect the gut. The protection received from the placenta and breastmilk only lasts for a few months.

Immunisation and immunity
Myth: There are concerns that combining two or three vaccines into one injection may put a baby’s immune system under considerable strain. It has been suggested that vaccines should be separated and given at six-monthly or yearly intervals. Fact: Delaying vaccines would leave children vulnerable to catching diseases in the meantime. Vaccines do not reduce a child’s immunity. Vaccine preparations contain dead or weakened organisms that don’t cause infection, so an ‘all-out’ immune response is not triggered. In addition, the immune system is designed to handle multiple attacks, because germs don’t attack the body one at a time. Each vaccine is carefully researched and produced so that it is suitable for the earliest possible administration and provides the best effect.

Immunisation and vaccine safety
Myth: Vaccines cause side effects and should be avoided. Fact: Vaccines provide a safe and efficient way to prevent the spread of many communicable diseases. Every vaccine used in Australia has been thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness, passed for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and is subject to ongoing monitoring and evaluation. However, vaccines are like any other medication – they may trigger side effects. This is why parents are generally advised to remain at the clinic for at least 15 minutes after their children are immunised. In the majority of cases, side effects are mild.

Immunisation and autism, diabetes and sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI)
Myth: Some researchers have proposed that vaccinations can cause certain disorders, such as autism and diabetes, or contribute to the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), which includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents. Fact: These theories have been extensively investigated and dismissed. Immunisation reactions are generally mild and resolve by themselves without needing medical treatment. Reactions may include fever and soreness at the injection site. Serious immunisation reactions are exceptionally rare.

Immunisation versus the risk of childhood diseases
Myth: Immunisation for childhood disease is riskier than the diseases themselves. Fact: Childhood diseases such as measles and whooping cough are serious and potentially fatal. The risk of complications from disease is much higher than the risks of complications from immunisation. Parents who are fearful of autism, SUDI or other disease complications may choose not to have their children vaccinated. However, if vaccination levels in the community fall too low, disease epidemics can flourish. People with little first-hand experience of childhood infectious disease can underestimate the effects and complications.

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Some parents worry that the measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine can cause brain inflammation (encephalitis), but the risk for the vaccine is around one in one million. However, one in every 2,000 children who catch measles will experience encephalitis. Of these, one in 10 will die and four in 10 will be permanently brain damaged.

The effectiveness of immunisation
Myth: Some parents don’t have their children immunised because they believe that vaccines don’t work. Fact: It is true that some people still catch a disease even though they have been vaccinated against it. No vaccine can offer complete immunity against disease for everyone, but effectiveness rates are high: • • • • • • Diphtheria – out of 100 vaccinated people, 84 will be completely immune. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) – out of 100 vaccinated people, 95 will be completely immune. Measles – out of 100 vaccinated people, 95 will be completely immune. Pertussis – out of 100 vaccinated people, more than 80 will be completely immune. Polio – out of 100 vaccinated people, 95 will be completely immune. Meningococcal C – out of 100 vaccinated people, 96 to 98 will be completely immune.

Where to get help
• • • • • Your doctor Your local council immunisation service Immunisation Program – Department of Health Victoria Tel. [phone] Maternal and Child Health Line (available 24 hours a day) Tel. 13 22 29 Immunise Australia Information Line Tel. [phone]

Things to remember
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Australian research shows that some parents are concerned about vaccine safety and effectiveness. Immunisation reactions are generally mild and resolve by themselves without needing medical treatment. The risk of complications from childhood diseases is much higher than the risks from immunisation.

This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:

Department of Health - Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit
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