Children’s Health & Immunisations

What is Children’s Health?

Children’s health is about ensuring the physical, emotional, behavioural, and developmental well-being of children from birth through to adolescence. Good children’s health goes beyond treating coughs or injuries – it includes supporting growth, nutrition, mental health, education, and preventive care.

Regular health checks, vaccinations, and early interventions play a key role in giving children the best chance to grow up healthy, confident, and resilient. Our doctors care for children with both short-term illnesses and long-term conditions, while also guiding families on nutrition, development, and behaviour.

We commonly help with:

• Coughs, colds, and infections
• Childhood behavioural concerns
• Routine health checks and development reviews
• Childhood vaccinations

Coughs, Colds & Common Infections

Coughs

A cough is often the body’s way of clearing mucus from the throat or chest. It is very common for children to cough during a cold, and in most cases, it is not a serious concern. If your child is otherwise well–eating, drinking, and breathing normally, their cough will usually resolve without specific treatment.

However, medical advice should be sought if:

• The cough persists and shows no signs of improvement.
• The child has a fever, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
• The cough is worse at night or triggered by exercise, which may suggest asthma.

Asthma in children can also cause wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness. If your child has trouble breathing or seems distressed, seek urgent medical care or call an ambulance.

Sore Throats

Sore throats are common in children and are usually caused by viral infections, although bacterial infections, such as strep throat, can also occur. Symptoms may include pain on swallowing, swollen or red tonsils, hoarseness, fever, or a runny nose.

• Viral sore throats typically improve on their own with rest, fluids, and simple pain relief.
• Bacterial infections require antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.

Parents should avoid self-diagnosing; a doctor can confirm the cause and provide appropriate treatment.

Colds

Colds are mild viral infections of the nose and throat. Children with colds often have runny noses, sneezing, mild coughs, and sometimes sore throats. While uncomfortable, colds usually resolve within 1–2 weeks without complications.

Rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can help ease discomfort. Good hygiene practices, such as hand washing and avoiding close contact, help prevent the spread to others.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are common in young children, especially after a cold. Signs include ear pain, fever, and irritability. Babies may tug at their ears, but often cannot show where the pain is.

Most ear infections are viral and clear without antibiotics. Pain relief with paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. If ear infections are frequent, children may develop glue ear – a build-up of fluid in the middle ear that affects hearing. Prolonged hearing problems can impact speech development, so regular monitoring by a doctor is essential.

Childhood Behavioural Concerns

Children sometimes struggle with behaviour, emotions, or social skills. These difficulties may be temporary, linked to stress or changes at home, or they may signal more persistent conditions.

Some recognised behavioural conditions include:

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) – frequent arguing or defiance.
• Conduct Disorder (CD) – ongoing difficulties with rules and behaviour.
• Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – challenges with focus, impulse control, and activity levels.

Our doctors can provide initial guidance, reassurance, and referrals to child psychologists or paediatric specialists when needed. Early recognition and support can greatly improve outcomes for both the child and family.

Children’s Health Care Services

Children’s healthcare spans a wide range of services, from preventive check-ups to complex medical support. Our practice provides:

• Ongoing follow-up for newborns requiring special care.
• Developmental and behavioural assessments.
• Orthopaedic support for fractures or injuries.
• Ear, nose, and throat evaluations.
• Endocrine care, including diabetes and growth concerns.
• Specialist referrals for dietetics, autism assessments, and therapy.

We work closely with parents and carers to deliver care that is both thorough and family-focused.

Immunisations

Why Immunisations Matter

Immunisation is one of the most effective public health measures ever developed. Vaccines protect children from serious illnesses that once caused widespread disability or death, such as polio, measles, and meningitis.

By vaccinating children, we also help protect the broader community by reducing outbreaks and safeguarding those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants and people with weakened immune systems.

Who Needs Immunisations?

All children benefit from routine immunisations, starting from birth with the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccination schedule continues through childhood and adolescence, covering diseases such as whooping cough, measles, meningitis, HPV, and influenza.

Following the recommended schedule ensures children are protected at the ages when they are most vulnerable. If vaccinations are missed, a catch-up plan can be created with your doctor.

Benefits of Childhood Vaccination

• Protection from severe illness: Vaccines prevent life-threatening diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and measles.
• Reduced outbreaks: High immunisation rates create herd immunity, lowering disease spread.
• Lower healthcare costs: Preventing illness is far more cost-effective than treating it.
• Fewer school absences: Immunised children are less likely to miss classes due to preventable illness.
• Community safety: Vaccination helps protect future generations by reducing or eliminating diseases.

Types of Vaccines for Children

Bacterial Infections

• Hib vaccine – prevents meningitis and pneumonia.
• Pneumococcal vaccine – protects against pneumonia and ear infections.

Viral Infections

• MMR vaccine – protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
• Varicella vaccine – prevents chickenpox and its complications.
• Hepatitis A and B vaccines – reduce the risk of liver infections.
• HPV vaccine – protects against cervical cancer, other cancers, and genital warts.
• Rotavirus vaccine – prevents severe diarrhoea and dehydration in infants.
• Annual influenza vaccine – protects against seasonal flu strains.

Meningitis Vaccines

Meningitis is a life-threatening infection. Vaccines available in childhood include:

• Meningococcal vaccines
• Hib vaccine
• Pneumococcal vaccine

Other Vaccines

In some countries, children may also receive vaccines for conditions such as malaria or tuberculosis. These are not routinely required in Australia but may be recommended for travel.

Safety of Vaccines

Vaccines are carefully tested and monitored for safety. Side effects are usually mild, such as redness at the injection site, mild fever, or irritability. These typically resolve within one to two days.

Serious reactions, such as severe allergic responses, are very rare. The risk of harm from vaccines is far lower than the risk of complications from the diseases they prevent. Doctors and nurses are trained to recognise and manage rare side effects promptly.

What Happens if Vaccinations Are Delayed?

Delaying vaccinations leaves children unprotected during vulnerable stages. For example, the MMR vaccine is most effective when administered between 12 and 15 months. If delayed, children remain at risk of measles, mumps, or rubella – diseases that can spread quickly and cause severe illness.

Unvaccinated children may also pose a risk to others, including newborns, elderly relatives, or people with weakened immune systems. Delays can contribute to community outbreaks of preventable illnesses.

If your child is behind on vaccinations, your GP can design a catch-up schedule to get them protected as soon as possible.