Key facts
- Teens can get many routine vaccines at school, but you must sign a consent form.
- Your teen’s vaccination status can affect your access to family assistance payments.
- School-based vaccination programs are separate from vaccination requirements for family assistance payments.
Who can get the vaccines
Teens can receive the vaccines on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule for free if they are on a Medicare card or are eligible for one.
Some free vaccines are also available for specific groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teens, and teens with medical risk conditions.
Some teens with medical risk conditions may be eligible for additional free vaccines or different vaccination schedules. Talk to your health professional to find out what is recommended for your teen.
How the vaccines are given
Teens get the free NIP vaccines as an injection. They are usually given into a muscle (intramuscularly) or under the skin (subcutaneously).
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 some vaccines need multiple doses
Some vaccines need more than one dose to give the best possible protection. Depending on the vaccine, this is to either:
- boost immunity (sometimes called a booster shot)
- protect against a disease that changes over time like influenza (the flu).
Why some vaccines are given in the teen years
The teen years are an important time for vaccination. Some vaccines boost protection from childhood vaccines, while others are given at this age to provide the best possible protection. This is because, as young people grow, they will potentially be exposed to new vaccine-preventable diseases.
The routine vaccines offered to most teens under the NIP protect against:
For example:
- the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine boosts protection from childhood vaccination
- the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is given before a person becomes sexually active, when it provides the best protection
- the meningococcal ACWY vaccine helps protect against a disease that is more common in adolescents and young adults.
Many routine vaccines for teens are offered through school-based vaccination programs. Find out more about school-based vaccinations in your state or territory.
Are the vaccines safe
The free vaccines for teens are safe. They go through:
- a rigorous testing process to be approved for use in Australia
- a listing process to be approved for the NIP
- continuous safety monitoring once in use.
To find out more, see the questions about adolescent vaccinations page on the Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) website.
How the vaccines work
When your teen gets a vaccine, their immune system creates antibodies to help protect them from the disease. If they come into contact with that disease in the future, their immune system remembers it and responds quickly.
Most vaccines take about 2 to 3 weeks to provide immunity.
To find out more, see:
- how vaccines affect immunity on the Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) website.
- questions about vaccination.
Diseases the vaccines protect against
The NIP schedule provides free vaccines for teens that protect against:
Some teens may also be eligible for free vaccines against other diseases, including:
Eligibility depends on factors such as medical conditions or other risk factors. Talk to your health professional about what is recommended for your teen.
Extra vaccines that are not free
The free vaccines on the NIP schedule help protect your teen from serious diseases.
Your health professional may recommend other vaccines that are not free. You can buy these privately.
Benefits and risks of the vaccines
Your teen may have side effects after getting the free vaccines, but these are almost always mild.
Without the vaccines, your teen could be at risk of getting seriously ill with ongoing complications. Some vaccine-preventable diseases can cause lifelong health problems or even death.
Getting a disease is likely to be more serious than the risks of the vaccine. For example:
- meningococcal disease can become life-threatening very quickly and may cause permanent disability
- human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause several types of cancer later in life.
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 doctor for advice. Most people who have reactions can safely have more vaccines. If needed, your doctor may refer your teen for more testing or take 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 immediately.
Next steps
Contact a health professional if you have any questions or to make a vaccination appointment.
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.
More information
Read the NIP adolescent (teen) vaccinations brochure.
Adolescent (teen) vaccinations
Get evidence-based answers to your questions about vaccination.
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