Before you get a vaccination

This checklist helps your immunisation service provider decide about vaccinating you or your child. 

You should tell your immunisation service provider if the person about to be vaccinated:

• is unwell today
• has a disease which lowers immunity (such as leukaemia, cancer or HIV/AIDS) or is having treatment that lowers immunity, for example oral steroid medicines such as cortisone and prednisone, radiotherapy or chemotherapy
• has had a severe reaction following any vaccine
• has any severe allergies - to anything
• has had any vaccine in the past month
• has had an injection of immunoglobulin or received any blood products or a whole blood transfusion within the past year
• is pregnant
• has a past history of Guillain-Barré syndrome
• was a preterm infant
• has a chronic illness
• has a bleeding disorder.

A different vaccination schedule may be recommended if you are any of the following:

• identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• do not have a functioning spleen
• planning a pregnancy or parenthood 
• a parent, grandparent or carer of a newborn
• live with someone who has a disease that lowers immunity (such as leukaemia, cancer or HIV/AIDS), or live with someone who is having treatment that lowers immunity, for example oral steroid medicines such as cortisone and prednisone, radiotherapy, chemotherapy
• planning travel
• have an occupation or lifestyle factor(s) for which vaccination may be needed.

What to ask your immunisation provider

Ask your immunisation service provider questions about this information or any other matter relating to vaccination before the vaccines are given.

Before any vaccination takes place, the immunisation service provider will ask you:

• did you understand the information provided to you about immunisation?
• do you need more information to decide whether to proceed?
• did you bring your/your child’s vaccination record card with you?

It is important for you to receive a personal record of you or your child’s injections. If you do not have a record, ask your immunisation service provider to give you one. 

Bring this record with you every time you or your child visit for vaccination. Make sure your immunisation service provider records all vaccinations on it. Your child may need this record to enter day-care, pre-school or school.

Source: The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013.

Contact

For more information contact the Centre for Disease Control's Immunisation Unit.

Or call the Immunise Australia Hotline on 1800 671 811.