Children's vaccinations from age 5 in Sunshine
Pharmacist immunisers in Victoria are scoped to vaccinate children aged 5 and over under the Victorian Pharmacist-Administered Vaccination Program.
For a child from age five, ask which vaccination services are available and appropriate. Younger children need another authorised provider. Complex needs or some services may require referral.
Babies and children 0 to 4: honestly referred
Under-5 vaccinations are delivered by your GP, the Brimbank City Council immunisation service, or a maternal and child health nurse, not by pharmacist immunisers. Here is the National Immunisation Program schedule for under-5s so you know what's due, and who actually delivers it:
| Age | Vaccines (NIP) |
|---|---|
| Birth | Hepatitis B |
| 6 weeks / 2 months | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B, Hib, pneumococcal and rotavirus; additional risk-based doses may apply |
| 4 months | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B, Hib, pneumococcal and rotavirus; additional risk-based doses may apply |
| 6 months | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B and Hib; extra pneumococcal for specified groups |
| 12 months | MMR, meningococcal ACWY, pneumococcal |
| 18 months | Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, Hib, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough |
| 4 years | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio |
No Jab, No Play requires a current AIR Immunisation History Statement for specified early-childhood services. It does not apply to primary or secondary schools or outside-school-hours care; eligible families may have support provisions. That's a child requirement, not an educator one. Download the statement from myGov or the myGov app, we can walk you through it in person.
From age 5 services depend on the vaccine and program authorisation, clinical suitability and availability. Call before attending.
Services to discuss with the pharmacist
The pharmacist checks provider authorisation, age, health, records and funding. Confirm the service and appointment arrangements before attending.
Annual influenza from age 5
NIP Medicare and risk criteria apply. The clinician checks the appropriate formulation, prior doses and whether a two-dose first course is needed.
School-program catch-up
Ask the school or council about missed Year 7 HPV and whooping cough or Year 10 meningococcal ACWY doses. The pharmacy checks its own service authorisation and funding.
NIP routine catch-up
Bring vaccination records for assessment. An individual catch-up plan depends on age, valid doses, health and provider scope.
Other age-appropriate services
Travel or medical-risk vaccination requires assessment and may need another authorised provider.
School-age catch-up, including newly arrived families
A provider assesses valid prior doses and the child’s age, health and risk. Available pharmacy services depend on vaccine-specific authorisation and program rules. Ask whether a GP, council or specialist is needed.
For a newly arrived child, bring overseas records for review. Funding, dose timing and which evidence an early-childhood service, school or another organisation needs are separate questions. Confirm the review fee before work begins.
Tell us your preferred language before booking. Staff language availability and professional interpreter eligibility and costs vary. Ask about TIS National on 131 450. Automatic translations may contain errors.
What to bring + what happens
Bring
- AIR Immunisation History Statement (download from myGov)
- Any paper records (yellow card, overseas record, school doc)
- Photo ID for the parent or guardian attending
- Medicare card if available; NIP eligibility is checked
What happens
- Valid consent and individual pre-vaccination screening
- The vaccine(s), into the upper arm
- At least 15 minutes of observation, longer if advised
- Ask about AIR reporting and how to obtain the statement
- Share evidence with the relevant organisation through an appropriate process
Ready to book your child's appointment?
Call before attending to confirm age eligibility, the service and availability.
Scope boundary, what we don't do
Some situations need another authorised provider or advice from the treating team. Confirm the appropriate pathway before attending.
- ·Vaccinations for children under 5 years old, these are delivered by your GP, the Brimbank City Council immunisation service, or a maternal and child health nurse.
- ·Information for pregnant patients, see our dedicated pregnancy page instead.
- ·Children with complex health or immune conditions may need treating-clinician advice. The applicable authorisation and individual assessment determine the provider and service.
- ·Vaccines outside the pharmacist scope of practice (e.g. BCG), referred elsewhere.
FAQs about children's vaccinations
Which children can attend?
The pharmacy vaccinates from age five within the applicable vaccine and program authorisation. Confirm the exact service, age, clinical suitability and availability before attending. Younger children need another authorised provider.
Can you review overseas records?
Ask about a record-review appointment, acceptable evidence, English translations and the fee before work begins. Record-review requirements are separate from the age authorisation to administer a vaccine.
Is MMR catch-up funded?
NIP catch-up for eligible children generally requires Medicare eligibility. Victorian MMR funding has separate criteria, including birth during or since 1966 without two valid documented doses or immunity evidence. Clinical assessment applies.
Who gives vaccinations to children under five?
Contact an appropriate GP, council immunisation service or other authorised childhood provider. A child’s age and health determine which service is appropriate.
How does No Jab No Play apply?
It applies to specified Victorian early-childhood education and care services, not primary or secondary schools or outside-school-hours care. The service checks the required AIR evidence. Eligible families may have access to a 16-week support period; ask the service about its rules.
Can a teenager consent?
Valid consent depends on the young person’s understanding, the intervention and applicable law and provider requirements. There is no universal age-14 rule. Vaccination should not be forced; discuss questions, fear and support needs with the clinician.
Can my child have influenza vaccination?
Influenza vaccination is recommended from six months. The pharmacy provides services from age five within scope. NIP Medicare and age or medical-risk criteria apply. Some children receiving influenza vaccine for the first time need two doses; the clinician checks current age and risk rules.
Sources and further reading
- Australian Immunisation Handbook
- National Immunisation Program schedule
- Victorian Department of Health, No Jab, No Play
- Brimbank City Council, Immunisation services
- Better Health Channel, Childhood vaccinations
- NCIRS, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
General information only, not personal medical advice. Your clinician checks your records, suitability, current guidance and funding before vaccination.
Book your child's appointment
For children aged 5 and over, bring the AIR statement and other records. The pharmacist checks what is due, what can be provided here and whether referral or follow-up is needed.