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What vaccinations are recommended for older adults?
The Australian Government recommendations for adults are:
| Disease | Information | Cost |
| Pneumococcal disease | A single dose for adults aged 70 years and over | Free to those eligible on the National Immunisation Program |
| Shingles (Herpes zoster) | A single dose for people aged 70 years of age, OR if you are over 70 and have not yet been vaccinated, a single catch-up dose is available for those aged between 71 to 79 year olds until 31 October 2023 | Free to those eligible on the National Immunisation Program |
| Influenza |
An annual dose is recommended for all older adults High-immunogenicity influenza vaccines are available to adults over 60 years of age. Adults 60-64 years of age may choose to receive a standard flu vaccine*, or a high-immunogenicity flu vaccine on private prescription. |
Free to those eligible on the National Immunisation Program. A fee may apply to adults 60-64 years of age. |
| Tetanus | A booster dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine is recommended for adults aged 50 years old or over who have not received a tetanus- containing vaccine in the past 10 years (but have previously completed a primary course of 3 doses) | A fee may apply |
| Whooping cough (pertussis) | A single booster dose of a whooping cough vaccine is recommended for adults aged 65 years old or more who have not been vaccinated in the past 10 years | A fee may apply |
*Unadjuvanted standard dose vaccine.
Plus, if you are travelling, speak with your doctor before you go to ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date and that you have received the recommended vaccinations specific for the regions you are travelling to.
Does polio still exist?
In Australia, the last two epidemics were in 1956 and 1961 to 1962. Following the introduction of polio vaccine in the 1950s, the last case of locally acquired polio in Australia was in 1972. Australia was declared polio free in 2000.
However, polio does still exist in other parts of the world and cases continue to be reported in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. However, reported cases of polio have been dramatically reduced worldwide through an intensified Global Polio Eradication Initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO).
As polio could still be contracted and imported from overseas, the Australian Government recommends that children are routinely vaccinated at 2, 4 and 6 months and 4 years of age, and boosters are given to adults at higher risk of exposure e.g. travelling to countries where polio is considered a risk.
What are the symptoms of cholera?
In most cases), people infected with cholera show no signs or symptoms of the disease, but the infected person can still remain infectious to others. Symptoms may appear quickly, in as little as 12 hours after initial exposure to the bacterium, or may appear up to five days later.
Symptoms of severe cholera include:
- sudden onset of painless, but severe, watery diarrhoea
- nausea and vomiting (early in the illness)
- severe dehydration (as a result of rapid fluid loss)
In severe untreated cases, death may occur within hours, but with simple treatment, full recovery can be expected.