Myths about

immunisation
1. Vaccines are not adequately
tested:
All vaccines currently available
in Australia must pass stringent safety tes!ng before being approved for use. This
tes!ng is required by law. In
addi!on, the safety of vaccines is con!nually monitored
once they are in use.
2. Vaccines or overwhelm the
immune system:
Vaccines do not weaken the
immune system but strengthen it by s!mula!ng defence
mechanisms that provide protec!on against specic diseases.
3. Vaccines cause or worsen
asthma and allergies:
There is no evidence that vaccines cause or worsen allergic
diseases such as asthma or
eczema. It is important that
children with asthma be given
all recommended vaccines as
catching a disease like pertussis or inuenza can worsen
asthma.

Referencing

Bibliography
commonwealth, A. (2013). Myths and
Reali es Responding to arguments against vaccina on.
Unknown. (2012, March 2). Pertussis
(Whooping Cough). Retrieved
from Australian Vaccina!on
scep!ocs: h$p://avn.org.au/
vaccina!on-informa!on/dtp/
meryl/
Unknown. (2014). Coverage maps. Retrieved from Na!onal centre for
immunisa!on research and
survallience: h$p://
www.ncirs.edu.au/
immunisa!on/coverage/maps/
index.php
Unknown. (2014, March 24). Na onal
health performance authority .
Retrieved from Media Release:
Childhood immunisa!on rates
up, but some areas s!ll low:
h$p://www.nhpa.gov.au/
internet/nhpa/publishing.nsf/
Content/Media-ReleaseChildhood-immunisa!on-ratesup-but-some-areas-s!ll-low

Created by:
Telina Lambert
Chelsea Manning
Kristie Cordingly
Ben Humberdoss

Immunisation -
Facts, statistics
and useful
information

symptoms of disease and viruses that can be vaccinated

against
Diseases

Symptoms

Chickenpox
(Varicella)

Fever, General weakness and

a rash

Diphtheria

sore throat, fever, diculty swallowing, weakness, headache and a

thick neck

German Measles
(Rubella)

HEP A

1. What is immunisation?
Immunisation is when you body
becomes partially immune to
diseases and viruses. This
lowers the risk of catching them
as well as spreading them.

Percentage of children aged five

years vaccinated in each state:

Joint pain, high fever, diculty waking up, nausea, discomfort in bright lights and
s.ness in the neck
Dry mouth, high temperature,
chewing and swelling may
cause soreness, stomach pain
and swelling and pain in one
or both of the paro.d glands
Mild cough, sneezing, runny
nose and a mild fever

2. Where can I get immunised?

You can get immunised at
hospitals, doctors surgeries and
if youre child is a student notes
will be sent home for you to fill
out so your child is up to date.

Nausea and vomi ng. confusion, sleepiness, diculty waking, irritability or redness, poor
feeding, and fever

Meningococcal

Pertussis
(whooping
Cough)

whooping cough:

Disguring skin sores light in

colour, lumps or bumps that do
not disappear a-er a couple of
weeks and very sore and weak
muscles

Leprosy

Mumps

Number of people affected by

Useful
information

A rash, fever, Swollen

glands and Aching joints

Loss of appe te, Nausea, Vomi ng, Fever,

Weakness, Tiredness, Aching in the, abdomen, Dark urine, Light-coloured stools,
Fever, Jaundice (a yellow appearance to the
skin and white por on of the eyes)

Meningi.s

Horrifying
statistics

3. What viruses / diseases can I

get immunised against?
Although all of these states have at
least 90% of children aged fives
years immunised they are not fully
protected against disease and virus.
Normally at age five these children
would be entering school, meaning
they are at high risk of spreading
unwanted sickness.

Whooping cough, influenza,

diphtheria, chicken pox,
measles, mumps, encephalitis,
leprosy, meningitis, hepatitis A,
meningococcal and ross river
virus