One decision you need to make early in your baby’s life is about vaccination. Most babies have their first vaccinations at around 6 weeks of age, although some may be offered a vaccination at birth for Hepatitis B.
The immunisations offered to a baby at six weeks are currently:
- Rotavirus (oral sip – Rotarix)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hep B, and Hib (injection – Infanrix-hexa)
- Pneumonia – 13 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae (injection – Prevenar 13)
These vaccinations help prevent diseases that can make babies very sick and need hospitalisation, or even cause death.
Babies born to gestational parents who have Hepatitis B in pregnancy will be offered both a Hep B vaccine and an immunoglobulin injection, to help prevent passing on the disease to your baby at birth.
Babies of parents who have spent time in a high-prevalence country for tuberculosis in the past five years, or who will visit a high-prevalence country for tuberculosis for three months in their first five years, or who live with someone who has tuberculosis, will be offered a tuberculosis vaccine.
Like all interventions in pregnancy, after birth, and for your baby, these vaccines are your choice – you can choose to have your baby have all, some or none, or a different schedule to the National Immunisation Schedule.
All immunisations recommended by the National Immunisation Schedule, plus any extra ones offered to your baby as needed, are free.