Diseases we immunise against
Occurs when Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria, spread by respiratory droplets, infecting the throat and nose. The bacteria cause severe throat and breathing difficulties. Up to 1 in 7 patients die. The bacteria release a toxin, which can produce nerve paralysis and heart failure. Common reactions to diphtheria vaccine include local swelling, redness or pain at the injection site. On occasion, extensive swelling of the limb can occur, but this resolves completely within a few days. Serious side effects (such as severe allergic reactions) are very rare. Read more.
An acute infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus spreads by faecal contaminated water/food or through contact with faeces infected with hepatitis A. Seven in 10 adult patients develop jaundice (yellowing skin and eyes), fever, anorexia (decreased appetite) nausea, vomiting, liver pain and tiredness. Common reactions to the hepatitis A vaccine include local swelling, redness or pain at the injection site. Less common reactions include fever and headache. Read more.
The virus is very serious and causes inflammation of the liver. The virus spreads mainly by blood, sexual contact, or from a carrier mother to newborn baby at the time of birth. One in 4 chronic carriers develops cirrhosis or liver cancer. Common reactions to the hepatitis B vaccine include local swelling, redness or pain at the injection site. Less common reactions include fever and headache. Serious side effects (such as severe allergic reactions) are very rare. Read more.
The infection is caused by a bacteria that can cause:
- meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord)
- epiglottitis (internal swelling in the throat which can obstruct breathing)
- pneumonia (lung infection).
Meningitis and epiglottitis can develop quickly and rapidly cause death. Despite its name, it is not related to influenza (the flu). About 1 in 20 meningitis patients die and about 1 in 4 survivors have permanent brain or nerve damage. Epiglottitis is rapidly and invariably fatal without treatment. Common reactions to the Hib vaccine include local swelling, redness or pain at the injection site. Less common reactions include fever. Serious side effects (such as severe allergic reactions) are very rare. Read more.
The virus is spread mainly by sexual contact. Up to 80% of people will be infected at some time in their lives. HPV can cause genital warts, cervical, vulval, vaginal, penile and anal cancers, and is also associated with some cancers of the mouth and throat. About 7 in 10 cervical cancers worldwide are associated with HPV. Common reactions to the HPV vaccine include local swelling, fainting, redness or pain at the injection site. Serious side effects (such as severe allergic reactions) are very rare. Read more.
Commonly known as the flu is highly contagious and caused by infection from influenza type A or B (or rarely C) virus. Influenza viruses infect the upper airways and lungs and can affect other parts of the body. It is spread by respiratory droplets causing fever, muscle, joint pain and pneumonia. An estimated 3000 people aged over 50 die in Australia each year. The elderly and children under five are most at risk. Pregnant women, diabetics, and people who are obese or have chronic medical conditions are also high risk. Common reactions to the influenza vaccine include local swelling, redness or pain at the injection site. Fever is also a common reaction in children aged 6 months to 3 years. Serious side effects (such as severe allergic reactions) are rare. Note: Children under five years of age must not receive bioCSL Fluvax® due to the increased risk of febrile convulsions. However, there are alternative influenza vaccines which are safe for children under 5. Read more.
Is an acute, highly infectious illness caused by the measles virus. Serious complications are pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (brain inflammation). It may also cause middle ear infection. Most deaths occur in children under 5, mainly from pneumonia and occasionally from encephalitis. People with a chronic illness are also high risk. One in 15 children with measles get pneumonia and 1 in 1000 develops encephalitis. One in 10 children who develop measles encephalitis dies and many have permanent brain damage. About 1 in 100,000 develops brain degeneration. Common reactions to the measles vaccine include local swelling, redness or pain at the injection site. The development of a non-infectious rash may occur. Serious side effects (such as severe allergic reactions) are rare. Read more.
This disease is a severe infection caused by bacteria that invade the body from the throat or nose. It causes septicaemia (blood infection) and meningitis (infection of the tissues surrounding the brain). About 10% of the community carry meningococcal bacteria harmlessly at the back of the throat or in the nose, and they remain quite well. But they can spread the bacteria to others, and a few of these people may become seriously ill. About 1 in 10 patients die. Up to 2 in 10 survivors lose limbs or have permanent brain damage. Common reactions to the meningococcal vaccine include local swelling, redness or pain at the injection site, as well as fever, irritability, loss of appetite or headaches. Serious side effects (such as severe allergic reactions) are rare. Read more.
Spread by saliva, causes swollen neck and salivary glands, and fever. It can cause infertility in males or permanent deafness. One in 5000 children develops encephalitis (brain inflammation). One in 5 adolescent / adult males develops inflammation of the testes. About 1 in 100 people may develop swollen salivary glands following vaccination with the mumps vaccine. Read more.
A highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It can be life threatening for babies and children, while adolescents and adults may only get a persistent cough. Complications in babies include pneumonia, fits and brain damage from prolonged lack of oxygen. Most hospitalisations and deaths occur in babies less than 6 months of age. About 1 in 125 affected babies under 6 months dies from pneumonia or brain damage. Common reactions to the whooping cough vaccine include swelling, redness or pain at the injection site, or fever. Occasionally extensive swelling of the limb can occur, but this resolves completely within a few days. Serious side effects (such as severe allergic reactions) are rare. Read more.
Most common in children under 2 and in people over 65. It can develop into invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and lead to meningitis (infection of the brain covering), septicaemia (blood infection) and pneumonia. Three in 10 people with meningitis die. Pneumococcal causes a third of adult pneumonia cases and up to half of pneumonia hospitalisations. Common reactions to the pneumococcal vaccine include local swelling, redness or pain at the injection site, or fever. Babies may also experience irritability, drowsiness and a decreased appetite. Read more.
Infection caused by three types of polioviruses and can affect the cells of the central nervous system and cause paralysis. Australia is certified as polio free by the World Health Organisation. But there is an ongoing risk of polio being imported from other countries, so it is still important that we stay vaccinated against it. Up to 3 in 10 patients with paralytic polio dies and many survivors are permanently paralysed. Common reactions to polio vaccine include local redness, pain and swelling at the injection site. Other less common symptoms are fever, crying and decreased appetite. Read more.
A group of viruses that can cause severe viral gastroenteritis in infants and children. It is spread by the faecal-oral route and can cause mild diarrhoea to severe dehydrating diarrhoea, fever and death. In the week after receiving rotavirus vaccine, some babies may develop diarrhoea or vomiting. There is a very small risk of intussusception (a treatable rare form of bowel obstruction) in the first few weeks after the first or second doses. Read more.
Virus spread by respiratory droplets. It causes severe malformations in babies of infected pregnant women. Up to 9 in 10 babies infected during the first trimester of pregnancy will have a major congenital abnormality such as deafness, blindness or heart defects. Rubella mainly occurs in young unvaccinated children, or in adolescents and young adults who have received less than 2 doses of the vaccine, and can cause fever, rash and swollen glands. Common reactions to rubella vaccine include local redness, pain and swelling at the injection site. Less common reactions include swollen glands, stiff neck and joint pains. Read more.
is caused by a toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. It causes painful muscle spasms, convulsions and lockjaw. The bacteria, commonly found in soil, dust and manure, can enter wounds and produce a toxin which causes painful muscular contractions and spasms. About 1 in 50 patients die. The very young and the elderly are most at risk. Common reactions to the tetanus vaccine include fever and local swelling, redness or pain at the injection site. Sometimes extensive swelling of the limb can occur, but this resolves completely within a few days. Read more.
Highly contagious and caused by the varicella-zoster virus and causes low-grade fever and fluid filled spots. Reactivation of the virus in later life causes shingles. One in 100,000 patients develop encephalitis (brain inflammation). It can result in congenital malformations in newborns. Infection in the mother around birth results in severe infection in the baby in up to a third of cases. Common reactions to the chickenpox vaccine include local swelling, redness or pain at the injection site. The development of a non-infectious rash may occur. Serious side effects (such as severe allergic reactions) are rare. Read more.