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Older Australians

State and Territory information:
  • ACT: (02) 6205 2300
  • NSW: Contact the local Public Health Units (look under "Health" in the White pages)
  • NT: (09) 8922 8315
  • QLD: (07) 3234 1500
  • SA: (08) 8226 7177
  • Tas: 1800 671 738 - (Tasmania Only) | (03) 6222 7724 - (Outside Tasmania)
  • Vic: 1300 882 008
  • WA: (08) 9321 1312

An older man and woman sitting close to each other

People aged 65 years and older, and Indigenous people aged 50 years and over, are at high risk from influenza and pneumococcal disease and the complications of these diseases, with the great majority of deaths from these conditions occurring in these age groups.

The Australian Government funds vaccines for older Australians in order to provide greater protection against these diseases.

Pneumococcal vaccine

Since January 2005, the Pneumococcal vaccination program for older Australians has provided free pneumococcal vaccine for all Australians aged 65 and older.

Flu vaccine

The Influenza vaccine program for older Australians provides free flu vaccine for all Australians aged 65 and older.

Vaccines for older Indigenous people

The National Indigenous Pneumococcal and Influenza Immunisation Program (NIPII) provides free vaccines for Indigenous people aged over 50 years, and for those aged 15 to 49 years who are at high risk from these diseases and their complications. See Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders for more details about this program.

Page last modified: 14 June, 2006