The best way to protect children from serious preventable diseases is to vaccinate them on time.
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This timeframe is guided by the National Immunisation Program Schedule.
Director of the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) Professor Kristine Macartney said each dose of every vaccine given to babies and children is carefully chosen to provide them with the earliest protection.
"It's really important that we ensure protection on-time against the most serious diseases," Professor Macartney said.
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"On time vaccinations can also help protect those more vulnerable people in the community.
"Although there is not yet a vaccine for COVID-19, there are vaccines to prevent other diseases that are prevalent in our community such as whooping cough, measles, influenza and meningitis.
"It's ok to leave your house to get vaccinated, unless you or your child have been directed to self-isolate.
"If a child has a runny nose or slight cold, they can still get vaccinated. Delaying vaccinations can leave children exposed to serious illnesses at a time when they're most vulnerable."
For pregnant women, Professor Macartney said vaccination protects both mother and baby from severe influenza and whooping cough.
"The beauty of vaccination during pregnancy is that the antibodies produced by the mother cross the placenta and get into the baby's circulation, so that the baby already has a level of protection until it's old enough to be able to be vaccinated."
All children aged six months to less than five years are also recommended to have their free annual influenza vaccination, which is available from mid-April.
"I encourage all parents and carers to download the free Save the Date to Vaccinate app, which gives timely reminders of childhood vaccinations," Professor Macartney said.
To make an appointment for your child to be vaccinated people should contact their GP, Aboriginal Medical Service or other immunisation provider.
It is important to call ahead of your appointment to discuss what changes your clinic or GP has made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On-time vaccination and overall participation in childhood immunisation programs continues to improve in NSW, with 94.7 per cent of children fully vaccinated by five years of age in the past 12 months compared with 90.8 per cent in 2012.
Visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/vaccinate for more information.