The power of vaccines is essentially twofold.

Firstly, they stimulate the immune system in each individual, ensuring they can quickly fight off the infection anytime they are faced with it. Secondly, by immunising everyone in the community, we boost the 'herd' immunity.

In doing so, infections can't penetrate the community well, and this provides protection to the handful of individuals where vaccines just don't have a great effect. So when it comes to grandparents, we are after the same outcomes. Firstly, protect them because they deserve it. Secondly, we help create that protective cocoon around baby where everyone who looks after them stays fit and healthy, reducing the chances they pick up a dangerous disease at a time when their immunity is immature.

It would be simple to say to any grandparent "just get every bloody vaccine you can". But what are the key ones?


Bck View of baby girl patient receiving vaccine at the doctor's office, focus on hand holding vaccine

Protecting your bub AND your extended family. Image: iStock 

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Babies and the elderly are incredibly vulnerable to influenza. Quite simply they can get incredibly sick and have higher chances of dying. This vaccine is imperative.

Whooping cough

It's devastating to hear reports across Australia each year about kids still dying from whooping cough. It just shouldn't happen.

Babies get a whooping cough shot at six weeks, four, six, and 18 months, but their immunity isn't adequate until the six-month mark. Hence it's another imperative vaccine for parents and grandparents (well, anyone spending time with baby for that matter) to get.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Once again, these diseases are on the rise again across Australia due to the cavalier attitudes of anti-vaccination hippies (don't get me started, vaccines are safe and they work. Full STOP!). 

If grandparents can't be sure that they've had two shots for this vaccine in their life, then it's worth getting a booster just in case.

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A bacteria associated with mainly upper airway and chest infections, it can lead to devastating illnesses in the elderly and babies. 

It's offered to all adults once they turn 65, and should be repeated after five years if they suffer chronic medical conditions. They should chat to their GP about their requirements in detail.


Shingles is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, with its frequency and severity of outbreaks increasing as we get older.

The shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine is available for all adults over the age of 60, and free for the over 70s. It's associated with lessening the severity of the shingles outbreak.

While shingles itself isn't contagious, the little blisters do contain the chickenpox virus, and if kids come into contact with the blister fluid they can get chicken pox - potentially catastrophic for babies. Another vaccine for grandparents to chat about with their GP.

If you want more advice about vaccines, please speak to your local health practitioner.

This article was published in October 2018 and updated by Dr Sam Hay in November 2020.