How to get your child’s immunisation certificates?
The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) automatically mail an Immunisation History Statement to parents after they complete their 4 year old immunisations. Parents can request a copy of their child’s AIR Immunisation History Statement at any time (up to their child being 14 years of age):
- using their Medicare online account through myGov
- using the Medicare Express Plus App
- calling the AIR General Enquiries Line on 1800 653 809.
Children aged 14 years and over can request their own Immunisation History Statement from the AIR by using or creating their own Medicare online account through myGov.
What if my child was immunised overseas?
Overseas immunisation records must not be accepted by the school directly from the parent. The parent should take their child’s immunisation records to a GP and ask them to report the vaccines to the AIR using the AIR Immunisation History Form. Overseas records must be translated into English before they can be recorded on the AIR. When the child’s AIR record has been updated with their overseas immunisations, the parent can access their child’s updated AIR Immunisation History Statement by logging on to their MyGov account or calling the AIR on 1800 653 809.
When are children excluded from school?
When there are cases of a vaccine preventable disease such as measles in a school, the local public health officer may request the principal to exclude any children who are not fully immunised against that disease during the incubation period (14 days for measles). In some circumstances, if unimmunised children can be immunised immediately they may be able to continue attending school, however if the window for this has passed the unimmunised children will need to stay at home. If no further cases arise the unimmunised children may return to school.
Under the NSW Public Health Act, if an unimmunised child comes in contact with a vaccine preventable disease outside school, they can also be asked to stay home during the incubation period to reduce the risk of starting an outbreak. Again, unimmunised children can avoid exclusion from school if they can be immunised very soon after being in contact with the disease. The timeframe and exclusion policy varies by disease - see the NSW Health Disease Control Guidelines for more details.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information about the new requirements contact your local public health unit on 1300 066 055.