What are the free vaccines
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free vaccines for people with certain medical risk conditions, including people who are severely immunocompromised.
The free vaccines available for eligible people are:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- influenza (flu) vaccine
- haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine
- human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
- meningococcal vaccine
- pneumococcal vaccine
- shingles vaccine.
These vaccines provide additional protection for people at higher risk of some diseases. They are in addition to the routine vaccines on the NIP and may include additional or booster doses.
Who can get the free vaccines
You’re eligible to get the free vaccines if you have both a:
- Medicare card, or you are eligible for one
- medical risk condition covered by the program.
What are medical risk conditions
Medical risk conditions can increase your risk of getting some vaccine-preventable diseases or becoming seriously ill if you catch them.
The program covers conditions that:
- increase your risk of getting a vaccine-preventable disease
- weaken your immune system
- need treatment that weakens a person’s immune system.
Examples include:
- heart disease
- chronic lung or respiratory conditions
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic liver disease
- weakened immune systems
- some cancers and cancer treatments
- human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- organ or stem cell transplants
- some blood disorders
- conditions affecting the spleen.
The medical risk conditions covered by the program vary depending on the vaccine.
Not all medical risk conditions are covered under the NIP.
How to check you’re eligible
Talk to a health professional to check whether you or your child are eligible for free vaccines through the NIP.
Eligibility for some free NIP vaccines depends on your age and medical condition.
If you're eligible, a health professional can advise which vaccines are recommended and the vaccination schedule that applies to you.
Find a health professional in your area or call your state or territory health department.
Some providers charge a consultation fee to give vaccines, including free ones. Check before you make an appointment.
If you’re not eligible to get the vaccines for free, you can buy them with a prescription. Ask a health professional if they’re recommended for you.
More information
Health professionals use clinical guidance from the National Immunisation Handbook to confirm if a vaccine is free or recommended for you.
The handbook provides information on risk conditions for:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- flu vaccine
- haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine
- human papillomavirus (HPV)
- pneumococcal vaccine
- meningococcal vaccine
- shingles vaccine.
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