Vaccinations in South Morang
At Lakes Boulevard Medical you can have your flu vaccine, the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and from age 65, and advice on vaccines for overseas travel. GP appointments are bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients, and National Immunisation Program vaccines cost nothing if you're eligible. Vaccines outside the program may have a cost for the vaccine.
Which vaccines can adults get for free?
Through the National Immunisation Program, eligible people can have a range of vaccines at no cost. The main adult groups are listed below, and your GP can check which you're due for. For babies, children and teenagers, see our children's health guide.
| Who | Vaccines on the program |
|---|---|
| Pregnant women | Whooping cough, RSV and flu |
| People aged 65 and over | A yearly flu vaccine, a 2-dose shingles course and a pneumococcal vaccine |
| People aged 75 and over | A single RSV vaccine |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | A yearly flu vaccine, shingles from 50 and RSV from 60 |
| People with certain medical conditions | A yearly flu vaccine, and other vaccines depending on the condition |
Should I have a flu vaccine?
Everyone aged 6 months and older is advised to have a flu vaccine every year. It's free through the national program for people 65 and over, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months, children aged 6 months to under 5 years, and people with some medical conditions. Outside those groups, there's a charge for the vaccine: [To be confirmed: private flu vaccine price at Lakes Boulevard].
Each year's flu vaccine usually becomes available in autumn, ahead of winter. Ring reception to check it has arrived. With appointments Open 7 days, evenings until 10pm Monday to Thursday, it's easy to fit in.
What vaccines are recommended during pregnancy?
The National Immunisation Program includes three vaccines for pregnant women:
- Whooping cough: between 20 and 32 weeks, in each pregnancy
- RSV: between 28 and 36 weeks, to help protect your newborn in the early months
- Flu: at any stage of pregnancy
Your GP can talk through each one during your pregnancy appointments. See our women's health guide for more on pregnancy care.
What vaccines are recommended from 65?
Once you're 65, the national program covers a yearly flu vaccine, a 2-dose shingles course and a pneumococcal vaccine, which helps guard against pneumonia and other serious infections. At 75, a single RSV vaccine is added. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people become eligible for some of these earlier. A health assessment is a good chance to make sure you're up to date.
When should I book travel vaccinations?
Where possible, see a GP 6 to 8 weeks before you leave. Your GP considers your destination, your plans while you're away and your vaccination history, then advises on vaccines and any medicines to take with you. Some vaccines need several doses, and some may need to be ordered. Which travel vaccines are given at Lakes Boulevard: [To be confirmed: which travel vaccines Lakes Boulevard gives, and whether they are kept in stock or ordered in].
Vaccines commonly discussed for Australians heading overseas include:
- Hepatitis A and B: advised for many destinations
- Typhoid: often recommended for parts of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America
- Routine boosters: such as tetanus, measles and whooping cough
For some destinations your GP may also recommend malaria prevention tablets, which you can fill at Lakes Boulevard Medical Pharmacy in our building. Leaving in less than 6 weeks? Book anyway, and your GP can prioritise what's most important for your trip.
Yellow fever vaccine can be given only at accredited yellow fever vaccination centres. If you need it, ask your GP where to go so your other vaccines can be timed around it.
What happens at a vaccination appointment?
- Book. Book online or ring reception for a flu or other routine vaccine. For travel, start with a GP appointment.
- Check what's due. Your vaccination history is reviewed, along with which vaccines you can have through the national program.
- Your vaccine. Who gives vaccines here: [To be confirmed: whether vaccines are given by a practice nurse, a GP or both at Lakes Boulevard].
- Wait 15 minutes. You stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after the vaccine in case of a reaction.
- Recorded for you. The vaccine is added to the Australian Immunisation Register, which you can view in myGov.
When you book, you can say: "I'd like a flu vaccine," or "I need a travel health appointment, I leave in 7 weeks." That helps reception book the right appointment.
What should I bring?
- Your Medicare card
- Your itinerary, if you're travelling overseas
- Any vaccination records you have, or your Immunisation History Statement from myGov
- A list of your medicines and medical conditions
Let us know if you're pregnant or planning to be, as it affects which vaccines are recommended.
Are vaccination appointments bulk billed?
Bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients. Some procedures have an out-of-pocket fee. Without a valid Medicare card, the full fee applies. This includes GP appointments for vaccinations and travel health. If you're eligible, National Immunisation Program vaccines cost nothing. Travel vaccines and other vaccines outside the program have a charge for the vaccine, and you're told the price before you decide.
| Vaccine | What you pay |
|---|---|
| On the National Immunisation Program, if you're eligible | Nothing for the vaccine |
| Flu vaccine, if you're not eligible under the program | [To be confirmed: private flu vaccine price at Lakes Boulevard] |
| Travel vaccines and other vaccines not on the program | [To be confirmed: private vaccine prices at Lakes Boulevard, or how patients are told the price] |
Vaccination questions
Bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients. Some procedures have an out-of-pocket fee. Without a valid Medicare card, the full fee applies. This covers GP appointments for vaccinations and travel health. Some vaccines have a charge for the vaccine itself, and you're told first.
People aged 65 and over, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months, children aged 6 months to under 5 years, and people with some medical conditions.
[To be confirmed: private flu vaccine price at Lakes Boulevard]. Ring reception on (03) 9436 0966 for this season's price.
Whooping cough between 20 and 32 weeks of each pregnancy, RSV between 28 and 36 weeks, and flu at any stage. All three are on the National Immunisation Program.
The 2-dose course is on the national program for people 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 and over, and adults with some conditions that weaken the immune system. Your GP can confirm whether you qualify.
People 75 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 60 and over, and pregnant women between 28 and 36 weeks.
Ideally 6 to 8 weeks before you go, as some vaccines need more than one dose. If you're leaving sooner, still book, and your GP can focus on the vaccines that matter most for your destination.
If you have a wound, see a doctor or nurse within 24 hours if your last tetanus vaccine was over 10 years ago, or over 5 years ago for a deep or dirty wound. Some travellers also need a booster.
The 15-minute wait means our team can help you straight away in the rare case of a reaction.