Www.medicareaustralia.gov.au – Australian Childhood Immunisation Register

www.medicareaustralia.gov.au is the official website of Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR). It records national database details of vaccinations which are given to children under 7 years of age who live in Australia. It was formed on 1st October, 2005. The National Office of Medicare Australia is located in Canberra. Health-related programs including Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and others are provided by Medicare Australia which is an agency of the Australian Government. Immunisation helps your child to stay healthy and it is an easy, secure and effectual way of protecting your child against dangerous disease which can be the reason of serious problem and sometimes of death.

Australian kids who are under 7 years of age enrolled in the Immunisation Register are automatically included on the ACIR. If child is not enrolled, they will be added to the Immunisation Register after receiving their immunisations details from their Doctor or immunisation provider. You are eligible to receive the child care Benefit and the Maternity Allowance from the Family Assistance office, if your child is up-to-date with their immunisations, or has an exemption. You can get an exemption from immunisation for your child if:

• Your child has a natural immunity to a disease, or a vaccine is unavailable. Ask your doctor to give you a letter explaining the reasons
• Your child cannot be immunised due to a medical condition. Ask your doctor or immunisation provider to complete a Medical contraindication form
• You have a personal, philosophical, religious or medical belief that immunisation should not occur. Ask your doctor or immunisation provider to complete a Conscientious objection form.

ACIR data enables immunisation providers and parents/guardians to check immunisation status of an individual child, regardless of where the child was immunised. ACIR data forms the basis of an optional Immunization History Statement which informs parents and guardians of their child’s recorded immunisation history. ACIR data provides information about a child’s immunisation status to help determine eligibility for the Australian Government’s Child Care Benefit and Maternity Immunisation Allowance payments. It provides a measure of coverage at a national, State/Territory and local level. It provides information for the delivery of incentive payments and feedback reports to eligible immunisation providers.

Immunization History Statements is used as a proof of vaccination. For example, Statements can be used to meet vaccination requirements for primary school enrolment – a sentence will be displayed at the bottom of the statement that says the child has received all the vaccinations required by 5 years of age, and/or eligibility for the Child Care Benefit and Maternity Immunization Allowance; an up-to-date status for the Family Assistance Office will be displayed. If you want to register in ACIR, for that you should have your Medicare card with your current address. Enter your Medicare card number, Individual reference number and date of birth and click on ‘submit’ button. You can also Access Online Services and reset your password, options for that are given on the left side of the registration page.

The National Immunisation Program Schedule:

Valid from 1 July 2007

1. Four doses of Hib vaccine are due at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months when PRP-T Hib containing vaccine is used.
2. Three doses of Rotavirus vaccine are due at 2, 4 and 6 months when RotaTeq vaccine is used.

Remember:

• Let Medicare Australia know if you change your address
• Keep your child’s vaccinations up-to-date in order to be eligible for family assistance payments.
• Check that your doctor or immunisation provider sends your child’s vaccination details to the Immunisation
• Order your child’s immunization history statement if you require it for school enrolment

For more information on the Australian Childhood Immunization Register

Online: www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
Email: acir@medicareaustralia.gov.au
Call: 1800 653 809
TTY: 1800 552152 (hearing and speech impaired)
TIS: 131 450 (Translating and Interpreting Service)

Call charges apply from mobile and pay phones only.