Immunisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people get some vaccine-preventable diseases more often than non-Indigenous people. 

For this reason, extra vaccines are available free through the National Immunisation Program. Some vaccines may also be given at different ages.

Recommendations and funding of additional vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be different depending on where you live, as disease risks vary across states and territories. 

These extra vaccines are in addition to the routine vaccines given throughout life, including during pregnancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older age.

Talk to your health professional or Aboriginal health worker about what vaccines you need.

Flu (influenza) vaccine

The flu vaccine is free and recommended every year for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). 

The flu can make you very sick. Getting vaccinated each year helps protect you, your family, elders and community. 

Find more information: influenza (flu) vaccine

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine

The RSV vaccine is free and recommended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 60 years and over under the National Immunisation Program.

RSV is a common virus that spreads easily and infects the airways and lungs. It can cause serious illness, especially for older people. Vaccination is a safe way to protect yourself and your community from severe RSV. 

Find more information: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.

Shingles vaccine

The shingles vaccine is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Immunocompromised people (people with weak immune systems) 18 years and over with specified medical conditions or treatments can also get a free shingles vaccination.

Shingles can cause a painful rash and long-lasting nerve pain. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against shingles and its complications. 

Find more information: Shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine.

Pneumococcal vaccine 

The pneumococcal vaccine is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25 years and over under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). 

Pneumococcal disease can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia. Vaccination helps protect against these infections. 

Find more information: Pneumococcal vaccine. 

Other vaccines

The following is a general guide to vaccinations provided free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Infants and children

In addition to routine childhood vaccinations Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and children receive:

Find more information:

• National Immunisation Program schedule
• Vaccines
• Protect your baby against meningococcal B brochure

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents

In addition to the vaccines recommended on the adolescent schedule, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents are funded to receive the annual influenza vaccine.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults can receive influenza, pneumococcal, shingles and RSV vaccines:

Find more information:

• National Immunisation Program schedule
• Adult vaccinations brochure and fact sheet
• Vaccines.

Immunisation for pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you can get the influenza, whooping cough (pertussis) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for free through the National Immunisation Program. 

Find more information: Immunisation for pregnancy

Vaccinations for people with medical risk conditions

Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have medical conditions that can increase their risk of getting seriously ill from vaccine-preventable diseases. 

You or your children may be eligible for extra vaccines or additional doses to help provide better protection. 

Talk to your doctor, nurse, Aboriginal health worker or healthcare provider about your family's vaccination needs. They can advise which vaccines are recommended for you based on your age, medical condition and health history. 

Find out more: Vaccinations for people with medical risk conditions 

Missed vaccinations

If your child has missed any routine childhood vaccinations, it’s not too late to catch up. 

All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can get missed routine childhood vaccinations for free up to 20 years of age (or up to 25 years of age for the HPV vaccine). 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who missed a routine meningococcal B vaccine can also receive a free catch-up vaccination up to 2 years of age. 

Check the National Immunisation Program schedule and talk to your doctor, nurse, Aboriginal health worker or healthcare provider if your child or adolescent has missed any recommended vaccinations. 

Find out more: National Immunisation Program schedule and catch-up vaccinations. 

Booster vaccines

You may need to get a booster dose of some vaccines to maintain full immunity.

Find more information: Immunisation for adults

Getting vaccinated

Find out more about getting vaccinated, including:

• where you can get vaccinated
• if you need to pay
• who can be vaccinated
• what to expect at your vaccination visit
• side effects.