Influenza

Individuals aged 5 years and over can be vaccinated for Influenza by a pharmacist for a small administration fee without the need for a prescription. 

Free vaccine can be administered by your GP to all children 6 months to < 5yrs and all adults 65yrs and over and to the following people who are at high risk of complications from the flu (all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Pregnant women and people with the following conditions: heart disease, severe asthma, chronic lung condition, chronic neurological conditions, impaired immunity, diabetes, kidney disease, haematological disorders).

The vaccine for people aged 65 and over is a different vaccine designed specifically for this age group and will provide enhanced protection.

Annual influenza vaccine should be administered before the start of the influenza season (peak is typically June to September in Australia). Protection is expected to last the year; optimal protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months. It takes up to 14 days for the vaccine to be effective.

Price: $25 or NIP funded (See eligibility)

Whooping Cough Diptheria and tetanus (a booster dose) (dTpa) (Boostrix)

The booster can be administered by a Pharmacist to 12yrs and over without the need for a prescription

12 to 19 years and pregnant women will be subsided by NIP (National Immunisation Program)

A booster dose is recommended if you haven’t had a booster in the last 10yrs. Particularly, if you will be in contact with a baby under 6 months of age and for those that are at risk of complications from whooping cough (adults over 65, severe respiratory conditions) and travellers. Ideally it should be administered 2 weeks before close contact with the infant or those at risk of complications or intended travel.

Price: $55 or NIP Funded (See eligibility)

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B vaccine can be administered by a Pharmacist to those who are 5 years and over without a need for a prescription. Immunity from the vaccine typically lasts for at least 20yrs

Hepatitis B is an infection caused by hepatitis B virus that affects the liver. Hepatitis B virus may be transmitted by inoculation through broken or penetrated skin, or by mucosal contact with blood or other body fluids from an infectious person.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for:

• Infants
• People who are immunocompromised
• People whose occupation increases their risk of acquiring hepatitis B
• Travellers to hepatitis B–endemic areas who may be at increased risk
• People with medical risk factors

Price: $50

Typhoid fever

Shingles (Zoster)

Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in a person who has previously had varicella (chickenpox). Herpes zoster commonly presents as a painful, self-limiting vesicular rash in a dermatomal distribution.

Zoster vaccines are recommended for people aged over 50 years and immunocompromised adults aged 18 years and over.  2 doses of Shingrix are required 2-6 months apart. This vaccine can be administered by a pharmacist without the need for a prescription.

Price of each dose: $320 (Private) or NIP funded (See eligibility)

Japanese encephalitis

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that is transmitted by respiratory aerosols.  About 10% of measles cases involve complications.

Mumps is an acute viral illness. Symptomatic disease can range from mild upper respiratory symptoms to widespread systemic involvement.

Rubella is a viral illness that spreads from person to person by respiratory secretions. Rubella is usually mild and self-limiting, but exposure during pregnancy can result in fetal infection and congenital rubella syndrome.

MMR vaccine is recommended for:

• children ≥12 months of age
• adolescents and adults born during or since 1966 who have not received 2 doses of rubella-containing vaccine, particularly.
• healthcare workers
• childhood educators and carers
• women of child-bearing age who are seronegative for rubella

MMR vaccination is available on the NIP for children at 12 and 18 months of age.  Unvaccinated individuals born during or after 1966 may also be eligible under NSW vaccination scheme.

Price: NIP funded (See eligibility)

Meningococcal ACWY & Meningococcal B

Polio

Polio is an acute illness caused by gastrointestinal infection with 1 of the 3 types of poliovirus.  Symptoms may include headache, gastrointestinal disturbance, malaise, stiffness of the neck and back and paralysis.

Inactivated poliovirus (IPV) vaccine or IPV-containing vaccine is recommended for:

• routine vaccination of infants and children
• routine booster vaccination in adults at higher risk of exposure to polio, such as healthcare workers and laboratory workers who may have contact with polio cases or poliovirus, and travellers to areas or countries where polio is epidemic or endemic.
• vaccination of adolescents and adults who have never received polio vaccine.

Children are to receive 4 doses as part of the immunisation schedule.  Booster doses can be given to adults at 10 yearly intervals.

Price:  IPOL - $75

Combination - $95   

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Pneumococcal disease

Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. It can cause severe invasive disease, including meningitis, pneumonia and bacteraemia, and non-invasive disease, including otitis media.

Pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for:

• infants and children aged <5 years
• non-Indigenous adults aged ≥70 years
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged ≥50 years
• children, adolescents and adults with risk conditions for pneumococcal disease

The recommended number and timing of doses, and type of vaccine depends on a variety of factors.  Please speak to one of our pharmacists about when you should receive vaccination.

Price: NIP funded (See eligibility)