Other Vaccinations

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It can be serious, particularly for babies, young children, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.

Anyone aged 20 to 60 years (born during or after 1966) who does not have evidence of receiving two doses of measles-containing vaccine or proof of immunity is eligible for a free MMR vaccination under this scheme.

A Medicare card is not required to access the vaccine free of charge.

The flu (influenza) is more than just a bad cold. It’s a contagious respiratory illness that can come on suddenly with fever, chills, body aches, cough, sore throat, and extreme fatigue. While many people recover in a week or two, the flu can lead to serious complications, especially for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions.

Free flu vaccination is available for:

• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older
• Adults aged 65 years and older
• Pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
• Individuals with certain medical conditions that increase the risk of severe flu - See this Fact Sheet for more information and to find out if you are eligible for the free flu vaccine.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common and highly contagious virus that infects the airways and lungs. While it often causes mild, cold-like symptoms in older children and adults, it can lead to serious illness in babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. RSV can cause bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways) and pneumonia, and it is the leading cause of infant hospitalisation in Australia. Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect newborns by passing on antibodies, reducing the risk of severe RSV illness in infants under six months by around 70%.

Adult RSV Vaccination

The maternal RSV vaccine is available year-round under the National Immunisation Program. It is recommended for pregnant women between 28 and 36 weeks of gestation and provides passive protection to newborns through the transfer of antibodies across the placenta, helping protect infants for up to six months after birth.

Infant RSV Vaccination

The Victorian infant program will run again from April to September 2026, offering free RSV protection for:

• infants up to 8 months old whose mothers did not receive the maternal vaccine at least two weeks before birth, and
•  infants up to 24 months old who have additional risk factors for severe RSV disease.

To find out more visit the Better Health Channel

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) are serious bacterial diseases that can cause severe illness and complications.

Diphtheria is a throat and airway infection that can cause breathing difficulties, heart problems and nerve damage. Tetanus, also known as “lockjaw,” occurs when bacteria enter the body through a wound and release a toxin that causes painful muscle stiffness and spasms, which can interfere with breathing. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes severe coughing fits and can be life-threatening for babies and young children.

In Victoria, the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine is provided free under the National Immunisation Program for:

• young people aged 12 to 13 years
• pregnant women from 20 weeks of gestation during every pregnancy
• children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 years who require catch-up immunisation
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees, asylum seekers
• other vulnerable individuals aged 10 years and over who need catch-up immunisation

In Victoria, free meningococcal B vaccination is available under the National Immunisation Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under 2 years of age, as well as people of any age with at-risk conditions such as asplenia or splenic dysfunction, and those with complement deficiency or receiving complement inhibitor treatment.

The JE vaccine is available free-of-charge for people aged 2 months or older living or working in eligible local government areas.

Macedon Ranges Shire is classifed as an eligible local government area.

You do not need a Medicare card to receive the vaccine.

For more information: Japanese encephalitis