CHILDREN, from babies up to teenagers, will be given extra injections to protect them against disease.

Newborns face three instead of two needles to guard against the growing incidence of pneumococcal disease, which can lead to paralysis, blindness, deafness, arthritis, middle ear infection and, in some cases, death.

Under the plan, which is likely to be adopted by the Federal Government, babies will have an extra injection at each regular immunisation visit – at two, four and six months.

The expert group that advises the Government on immunisation has also recommended a vaccine against chicken pox be added to the list for babies, while the current oral vaccine for polio may be replaced by an injection.

Teenagers also will be advised to have whooping cough vaccinations under the major overhaul of Australia's immunisation schedule.