Vaccination & Immunisation (Adults)

We also recommend immunisation for all adults for Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio.
HEPATITIS B For both children and adults who are, or may be at some time, involved in contact sports.

Flu and travel vaccines can be provided, fees generally apply and an appointment is required. Please advise of vaccines required when arranging the appointment.

Females contemplating pregnancy are advised to contact their doctor to discuss vaccinations against german measles, whooping cough, chicken pox and the flu.

Majellan Medical Centre is an accredited Q-Fever and Yellow Fever vaccine provider.

Influenza Vaccination (flu shot) for Healthy Adults

Seasonal influenza (flu) is a vaccine preventable disease that affects one in five Australians each year. In healthy adults it is usually a brief disease, often resulting in a short amount of time off work. The disease presents with fever, cough and fatigue. It is quite variable including asymptomatic (but contagious) infection, short-lived upper respiratory tract symptoms including coughing and sneezing, debilitating systemic effects such as fever, fatigue, generalised aches and pains that may last up to two weeks, through to primary viral pneumonia and secondary infections. Life-threatening complications are more common in people with chronic illness, the elderly and young children.

Influenza vaccination for healthy adults is recommended by the National Health and medical Research Council, but is not universally funded through the National Immunisation Program (some people have to pay for the vaccine themselves).

The Australian Immunisation Handbook contains a general recommendation for annual vaccination against influenza for ‘any person who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza’, using the vaccine composition recommended by the World Health Organization for the current southern hemisphere winter.

The handbook goes on to make specific recommendations for vaccination of the following groups: everyone 65 years and older; people with chronic illness (like bronchial asthma, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, et cetera); residents of long-term care facilities; contacts of people who have a high risk of developing complications from influenza, including household members, healthcare providers and staff of long-term care facilities. Influenza vaccination usually is well tolerated, but it could cause local pain and swelling at the injection site, and even a mild influenza-like illness including fever and myalgia commencing a few hours after vaccination and lasting 1-2 days. Treatment with paracetamol (Panadol) is effective. At the moment four pharmaceutical companies supply the vaccine in Australia.

The vaccine is free for people 65 years of age and over, as well as people with severe chronic medical conditions.

We also run a Travel Clinic.

Q fever Vaccination

Q fever is a flu-like disease, causing illness that can range from mild to very severe.  It can sometimes last for years.

• People usually get Q fever from animals such as goats, cattle and sheep.
• People who work with or near animals are most at risk of getting Q fever.
• Everyone at risk should have a test to see if they are protected from the disease

A skin test and blood test is required to be performed prior to vaccination which can be given seven days after the skin test has been done.  Therefore two appointments are required.  Fees are associated with the consultations, blood test, skin test and vaccine.  Only Q fever registered Doctors can administer the vaccine.