Key facts
- Follow the schedule as much as you can to give your teen the best protection.
- Some providers charge a consultation fee to give vaccines – check before you book.
- If your teen misses a scheduled vaccine, they may be able to catch up for free.
- Many routine teen vaccines are offered through school-based vaccination programs.
Vaccinate on time
It’s important for teens to get vaccinated on time so they have the best protection against harmful diseases.
Follow the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule and make sure your teen receives their vaccines when they are due.
Being late for a vaccine can leave your teen unprotected against serious diseases for longer than necessary. 'On time' means on, or as close as possible to, the due date in the schedule.
To help you with this, the Australian Immunisation Register will send you reminder letters when any of your teens under 14 are overdue for a vaccination.
Missed vaccines
If your teen is overdue or has missed a scheduled vaccination, talk to your vaccination provider about catching up.
Many teens who have missed vaccines can still get catch-up vaccinations for free. Talk to your vaccination provider about the options available for your teen.
Where to get vaccinated
Many routine vaccines for teens are offered through school-based vaccination programs. This is the main way many teens receive their routine vaccinations. Parents or guardians usually need to provide consent before their teen can be vaccinated at school.
If your teen misses a vaccine at school, they may still be able to receive it through another vaccination provider. Teens can get the free vaccines at:
- school
- general practices (GPs)
- community health or local council clinics (in some areas)
- Aboriginal community health services
- participating pharmacies.
Find out more about school-based vaccinations in your state or territory.
Find out more about getting vaccinated.
Check vaccination history
It’s a good idea to check your teen’s vaccination history before making an appointment.
If your teen is:
- under 14 years of age, check their immunisation history to see if there are any missed vaccines
- 14 years or older, you’ll need to get their permission to check their immunisation history or get them to do it themselves (for privacy reasons). See the options for teens aged 14 years or older.
Teens aged 14 years or older can give Services Australia permission for a parent or guardian to access their immunisation history statement.
Make a vaccine appointment
Contact a health professional to make a vaccination appointment for your teen.
Find a health professional in your area or call your state or territory health department.
Some providers charge a consultation fee to give vaccines. Check before you make an appointment.
At the appointment
Come prepared with any questions you may have about the vaccine.
Teens can usually get vaccinated even if they have a minor illness, such as a runny nose or mild cold. Teens with a high fever (38.5 °C or more) or a more serious illness should wait until they are well before getting vaccinated.
After the appointment
Your teen may get mild side effects after vaccination. Most side effects last no more than a couple of days. Find out more about the possible side effects of vaccination.
More information
Read the NIP adolescent (teen) vaccinations brochure.
Your adolescent’s vaccination visit
Learn how to prepare for your adolescent (teen)’s vaccination visit and how to manage mild reactions at home.
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