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 July 20201
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) Pneumococcal conjugate (13vPCV) Rotavirusb |
|
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
| ge | Vaccine |
|
All States and Territories (except SA and WA)3,4,5,7,8,10 |
|
|
Year 7 (or age equivalent, 11-13 years of age) |
Human papillomavirus (HPV)c Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (whooping cough) (dTpa) |
|
South Australia (SA)6 and Western Australia (WA)9 |
|
|
Year 8 (or age equivalent, 11-13 years of age) |
Human papillomavirus (HPV)c Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (whooping cough) (dTpa) |
|
Year 10 (14- 16 years of age)1
|
Human papillomavirus (HPV)c Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (whooping cough) (dTpa) |
Older Adults
| Age | Vaccine |
|
³ 65 years |
Influenza vaccine annually |
|
70 yearsd |
Herpes zoster (shingles) Pneumococcal (13vPCV) |
At-risk groups
| Age | Risk Group | Vaccine |
| 2 months | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander | Meningococcal B |
| 4 months | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander | Meningococcal B |
|
6 months |
Medically at riske |
Pneumococcal (13vPCV) |
|
|
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (QLD, NT, SA, WA) |
|
|
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with specified medical conditions |
Additional Meningococcal B dose | |
|
12 months |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander |
Meningococcal B |
|
18 months |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (QLD, NT, SA, WA) |
Hepatitis A |
|
4 years |
Medically at riske |
Pneumococcal (23vPCV) |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (QLD, NT, SA, WA) | Pneumococcal (23vPCV) Hepatitis A | |
|
≥50 years |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander |
Pneumococcalg |
|
Any age |
Specific medical conditions |
Meningococcal B Meningococcal ACWY |
|
Any age |
Pregnancy |
Influenza Pertussis (whooping cough) |
Funded annual influenza vaccination
| ≥ 6 months of age with specified medical conditions |
| ≥ 65 years of age |
| ATSI: ≥ 6 months and over |
| ≥ 6 months - 5 years |
| Pregnant women |
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. Administer first dose of 23vPPV at age 4 years, followed by second dose of 23vPPV at least 5 years later.
f. Single dose recommended each pregnancy, ideally between 28-32 weeks, but may be given up until delivery.
g. Administer a dose of 13vPCV, followed by first dose of 23vPPV 12 months later (2-12 month acceptable), then second dose of 23vPPV at least 5 years later
Sources & Citations
- Australian Government Department of Health. National Immunisation Program Schedule. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/immunisation-throughout-life/national-immunisation-program-schedule (Accessed 1 July 2020)
- 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 2018. 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.
- Western Australian Immunisation Schedule. July 2018. Available from: http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/articles/a_e/childhood-immunisation-schedule Date accessed: May 2019.
- Childhood Vaccination Schedule. July 2018. Available from: https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/healthy-living/immunisation/child-vaccinations Date accessed July 2018
MAT-AU-2000293 date of preparation July 2020
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