Key facts
- The National Immunisation Program schedule for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people shows the free vaccines recommended for all mob.
- Adults and older mob can get several vaccines starting at age 18.
- You can catch up on some missed vaccines for free up to a certain age.
- Getting the recommended vaccines on time helps keep you healthy and protects you, your family and your community from diseases that can spread.
About vaccination for adult mob
Adult mob need protection from diseases that are common in the community, such as influenza (flu) and pneumococcal disease. Some vaccines are especially important as you get older, because your immune system naturally weakens with age.
Getting vaccinated also helps protect your family and community. This is called community immunity, or ‘herd immunity’. You can read more about this on the About vaccination for mob page.
If you missed any vaccines when you were younger, you can catch up on some of them.
What vaccines can I get
The National Immunisation Program schedule for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people lists the vaccines free for adults and older mob:
All mob aged 6 months and over can get a free flu vaccine every year. This helps protect the whole community from the flu, especially young children and older mob who can get really sick.
The National Immunisation Program vaccines protect against many serious diseases. Depending on your circumstances, your health professional may also recommend additional vaccines.
Extra vaccines may also be available for free as part of state and territory government programs.
Extra vaccines that are not free
Some adults may need additional vaccines based on their age, health condition, travel plans or other circumstances. Talk to your health professional about whether extra vaccines are recommended for you.
Your health professional may recommend other vaccines that are not free. You can buy these privately.
When can I get the vaccines
The adult vaccines are for mob aged 18 years and older.
The vaccines are recommended at different ages to help protect mob when they need it most. Getting vaccinated at the recommended time gives you the best protection, for yourself, your family and your community.
Catching up on missed vaccinations
If you missed any childhood vaccines, you can catch up on most of them for free up until you turn 20. You can catch up on the HPV vaccine for free until you turn 26.
Talk to your health professional about any vaccines you or your family may have missed. Staying up to date with vaccinations helps keep you, your family and mob safe from serious diseases.
How are the vaccines given
You get the vaccines on the National Immunisation Program as an injection in the arm.
Combination vaccines
Some of the vaccines on the National Immunisation Program schedule are combination vaccines. These combine 2 or more vaccines into one injection. They are a safe way to reduce the number of injections that are needed.
Why do some vaccines need more than one dose
Some vaccines need more than one dose to give the best possible protection. Depending on the vaccine, this is to either:
- boost your immunity (such as the shingles vaccine, which is given as 2 doses)
- protect against diseases that change over time (such as the flu).
It’s important that you get every dose on the schedule. Find out more about why the schedule is the way it is.
How do the vaccines work
When you get a vaccine, your body’s immune system creates antibodies for protection. If you come into contact with that disease in the future, your immune system remembers it and responds quickly.
Most vaccines take about 7 to 21 days to provide immunity.
To find out more, see:
- The science of immunisation: questions and answers page on the Australian Academy of Science website
- Yarning about vaccination factsheet.
What are the benefits and risks of the vaccines
All vaccines in Australia have been tested for safety and are regularly monitored for the side effects they may cause. You may have side effects after getting the vaccines, but these are almost always mild. Read more about the possible side effects below.
Without the vaccines, you are at risk of getting seriously sick with ongoing complications. Diseases like the flu and COVID-19 can cause hospitalisation and death.
Getting a disease is likely to be more serious than the risks of the vaccine. For example:
- RSV infection could cause difficulty breathing
- shingles could cause problems with eyesight
- pneumococcal disease could cause bloodstream infections, severe breathing problems and inflammation of the brain.
Possible side effects
Each vaccine has possible side effects. Most are mild, but occasionally there can be serious side effects.
Common side effects
Most side effects are mild and usually go away in a few days. Find out about possible side effects and how to manage them.
If you are concerned, speak to a health professional for advice. Most people who have reactions can safely have more vaccines. If needed, your health professional may refer you for more testing or take extra precautions before the next vaccine.
Very rare side effects
Serious side effects, like a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare. These need medical attention straight away.
How do I get vaccinated
See the About vaccination for mob page to find out how to get vaccinated.
More information
For more information:
- Read the About vaccination for mob and National Immunisation Program vaccines for mob pages.
- View our National Immunisation Program resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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