Australia's rate of immunisation is steadily increasing following the implementation of the Australian Government funded National Immunisation Program (NIP) which began in 1997. The NIP Schedule currently includes vaccines against a total of 16 diseases and provides vaccination funding for:
Updated May 20191
Child Programs
| Age | Vaccine |
|
Birth |
Hepatitis B (hepB)a |
|
2 months |
Hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b, inactivated poliomyelitis (polio) (hepB-DTPa-Hib-IPV) |
|
4 months |
Hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b, inactivated poliomyelitis (polio) (hepB-DTPa-Hib-IPV) |
|
6 months |
Hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b, inactivated poliomyelitis (polio) (hepB-DTPa-Hib-IPV) |
|
12 months |
Meningococcal ACWY |
|
18 months |
Haemophilus influenzae type b Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough) (DTPa) Measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox) |
|
4 years |
Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough) inactivated poliomyelitis (polio) (DTPa-IPV) |
School Programs
In-school vaccinations for year 7-10 students
| Age | Vaccine |
|
All States and Territories (except SA and WA)3,4,5,7,8,9 |
|
|
12 to < 13 years |
Human papillomavirus (HPV)c Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (whooping cough) (dTpa) |
|
14 to < 16 years (Year 10)1 |
Meningococcal ACWY |
Older Adults
| Age | Vaccine |
|
65 years |
Influenza vaccine annually |
|
70 yearsd |
Herpes zoster (shingles) |
12 to < 13 years (Years 7 or 8 – depending on state)
At-risk groups
| Age | Risk Group | Vaccine |
|
6 months |
Medically at riske |
Pneumococcal (13vPCV) |
|
|
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (QLD, NT, SA, WA) |
|
|
12 months |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (QLD, NT, SA, WA) |
Hepatitis A |
|
18 months |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (QLD, NT, SA, WA) |
Hepatitis A |
|
4 years |
Medically at riske |
Pneumococcal (23vPCV) |
|
≥15 years |
Medically at riske |
Pneumococcal (23vPCV) |
|
|
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander |
Pneumococcal (23vPCV) |
|
≥50 years |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander |
Pneumococcal (23vPCV) |
|
Any age |
Pregnancy |
Pertussis (whooping cough)f |
|
Any age |
Pregnancy |
Influenza |
Funded annual influenza vaccination
≥ 6 months of age medically at riske
≥ 65 years of age
ATSI: 6 months and over
Pregnant women
All children 6 months to < 5 years
Footnotes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule
a. Hepatitis B: vaccine should be given to all infants as soon as practicable after birth. The greatest benefit is if given within 24 hours, and must be given within 7 days.
b. Rotavirus vaccine: First dose must be given by 14 weeks of age, the second dose by 24 weeks of age.
c. HPV vaccine: 2 doses 6-12 months apart and 3 doses required >15yrs and/or certain medical conditions.
d. with a five year catch-up program for people aged 71-79 years old until 31 October 2021
e. Refer to the current edition of The Australian Immunisation Handbook2 for all medical risk factors.
f. Single dose recommended each pregnancy, ideally between 28-32 weeks, but may be given up until delivery.
Sources & Citations
- Australian Government Department of Health. National Immunisation Program Schedule. Available at: https://beta.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-immunisation-program-schedule-portrait [accessed May 2019]
- Australian Government Department of Health. The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition.http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook10-home [accessed July 2018)
- ACT Health Immunisation Schedule. July https://beta.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-immunisation-program-schedule-portrait2018. Available from: https://www.health.act.gov.au/sites/default/files//act%20immunisation%20schedule.pdf Date accessed July 2018.
- NSW Immunisation Schedule. July 2018. Available from: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/publications/nsw-immunisation-schedule.pdf Date accessed: July 2018
- Immunisation Schedule Queensland Children and adolescents (10 to 19 years. July 2018. Available from: https://vaccinate.initiatives.qld.gov.au/schedule/ Date accessed: July 2018
- National Immunisation Program South Australia Schedule. July 2018. Available from: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+conditions+prevention+and+treatment/immunisation/immunisation+programs/school+immunisation+program Date accessed: May 2019.
- Immunisation Program – Tasmania. July 2018. Available from: https://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/communicable_diseases_prevention_unit/immunisation/publications/adult_and_child_immunisation_schedule Date accessed: July 2018.
- Immunisation Schedule Victoria. July 2018. Available from: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/immunisation/immunisation-schedule-vaccine-eligibility-criteria/immunisation-schedule-victoria Date accessed: July 2018.
- Childhood Vaccination Schedule. July 2018. Available from: https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/healthy-living/immunisation/child-vaccinations Date accessed July 2018
SPANZ.SAPAS.18.07.0279a - Date of preparation May 2019