Key facts
- The National Immunisation Program schedule for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people shows the free vaccines recommended for all mob.
- Teens that miss any vaccines can catch up for free before they turn 20, and before they turn 26 for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- Getting the recommended vaccines for teens on time helps keep them healthy and protects them, their family and the community from diseases that can spread.
About vaccination for teens
Vaccination is still important as kids become teens. Some vaccines boost the protection provided by vaccines they had when they were younger. Others protect against diseases teens may come across as they get older.
Many teen vaccines are given through school vaccination programs. If your teen misses a vaccine at school, they can catch up at a clinic. Some pharmacies (chemists) also offer catch-up vaccines.
Vaccinating teens also helps protect their family and community. This is called community immunity, or herd immunity. You can read more about community immunity on the About vaccination for mob page.
What vaccines can teens get
The list of recommended vaccines is called the National Immunisation Program schedule for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The schedule provides the following vaccines free for teenagers:
- diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) (DTP)
- human papillomavirus (HPV)
- influenza (flu)
- meningococcal ACWY.
The National Immunisation Program vaccines protect against many serious diseases. Depending on your teen’s 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 teenagers 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 your teen.
Your health professional may recommend other vaccines that are not free. You can buy these privately.
When can teens get the vaccines
Many teen vaccines are offered through school vaccination programs during the teenage years. Getting vaccinated on time helps protect teens when they need it most.
Catching up on missed vaccinations
If your teen missed any vaccines, including childhood vaccines, they can catch up on most of them for free up until they turn 20 years old, or until they turn 26 years old for the HPV vaccine.
Talk to your health professional about any vaccines your teen may have missed. Staying up to date with vaccinations helps keep your teen, your family and mob safe from serious diseases.
How are the vaccines given
Teenagers get the scheduled vaccines under 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 teen’s immunity (such as the meningococcal ACWY vaccine, which is also given to them as a baby)
- protect against diseases that change over time (such as the flu).
It’s important your teen gets every dose on the schedule. Find out more about why the schedule is the way it is.
How do the vaccines work
When your teen gets a vaccine, their body’s immune system creates antibodies for protection. If they come into contact with that disease in the future, their immune system remembers it and responds quickly.
Most vaccines take about 7 to 21 days to provide immunity.
To find out more, see:
- How do vaccines affect immunity? on the Australian Academy of Science website.
- Yarning about vaccination fact sheet.
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. Your teen may have side effects after getting the vaccines, but these are almost always mild.
Without the vaccines, your teen is at risk of getting seriously sick with ongoing complications. Diseases like meningococcal can cause death.
Getting a disease is likely to be more serious than the risks of the vaccine. For example:
- diphtheria can make it hard to breathe or swallow
- human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can cause several types of cancer later in life
- meningococcal disease can cause serious illness, disability or death.
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 teens who have reactions can safely have more vaccines. If needed, your health professional may refer your teenager 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 can my teen get vaccinated
See the About vaccination for mob web page to find out how to get your teen vaccinated.
More information
For more information:
- See 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.
- Read The science of immunisation: questions and answers page on the Australian Academy of Science website.
Vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
Read about the vaccines that are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
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