When to get vaccinated

National Immunisation Program Schedule

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule is a series of immunisations given at specific times throughout your life. The immunisations range from birth through to adulthood.

What is the NIP Schedule?

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule is a series of immunisations given at specific times throughout your life. The immunisations range from birth through to adulthood.

All vaccines listed in the NIP Schedule are free. Eligibility for free vaccines under the NIP is linked to eligibility for Medicare benefits.

To get the best possible protection, make sure you have your immunisations on time, every time. The NIP Schedule below shows which vaccines you should get and when.

National Immunisation Program Schedule – from 1 July 2020

For all non-Indigenous Australians

National Immunisation Program Schedule (from July 2020)

Age

Disease

Vaccine brand

Childhood vaccination (also see influenza vaccine)

Birth

Hepatitis B (usually offered in hospital)a

H-B-Vax® II Paediatric or Engerix B® Paediatric

2 months (can be given from 6 weeks of age)

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Infanrix® hexa
  Rotavirusb Rotarix®
  Pneumococcal Prevenar 13®

4 months

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Infanrix® hexa
  Rotavirusb Rotarix®
 

Pneumococcal

 Prevenar 13®

6 months

 Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Infanrix® hexa

Additional dose for children with specified medical risk conditionsc

Pneumococcal

Prevenar 13®

12 months

Meningococcal ACWY

Nimenrix®
  Measles, mumps, rubella M-M-R® II or Priorix®
  Pneumococcal Prevenar 13®

18 months

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

ActHIB®
  Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox (varicella) Priorix-Tetra® or ProQuad®
  Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) Infanrix® or Tripacel®

4 years

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio

Infanrix® IPV or Quadracel®

Additional dose for children with specified medical risk conditionsc

Pneumococcal

Pneumovax 23®

Adolescent vaccination (also see influenza vaccine)

12–13 years (school programs)e

Human papillomavirus (HPV)f

Gardasil®9
  Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) Boostrix®

14–16 years (school programs)e

Meningococcal ACWY

Nimenrix®

 

Adult vaccination (also see influenza vaccine)

 

70 years and over

Pneumococcal

Prevenar 13®

70–79 yearsg

Shingles (herpes zoster)

Zostavax®

Pregnant women

Pertussis (whooping cough)h

Boostrix® or Adacel®
Funded annual influenza vaccinationi    
Children 6 months to less than 5 years of age    
People 6 months and over with specified medical risk conditions    
People 65 years and over    
Pregnant women    
  • (a) Hepatitis B vaccine: Should be given to all infants as soon as practicable after birth. The greatest benefit is if given within 24 hours, and must be given within 7 days.
  • (b) Rotavirus vaccine: First dose must be given by 14 weeks of age, the second dose by 24 weeks of age.
  • (c) Risk conditions are specified in the ATAGI clinical advice on changes to vaccine recommendations and funding for people with risk conditions from 1 July 2020.
  • (d) Administer first dose of 23vPPV at age 4 years, followed by second dose of 23vPPV at least 5 years later.
  • (e) Contact your state or territory health service for school grades eligible for vaccination.
  • (f) Observe Gardasil®9 dosing schedules by age and at-risk conditions. 2 doses: 9 to less than 15 years — 6 months minimum interval. 3 doses: 15 years or over and/or have certain medical conditions — 0, 2 and 6 month schedule. Only 2 doses funded on the NIP unless a 12 to less than 15 year old has certain medical risk factors.
  • (g) All people aged 70 years old with a catch-up program for people aged 71 to 79 years old until 31 October 2023.
  • (h) Single dose recommended each pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks, but may be given up until delivery.
  • (i) Refer to annual ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines.
  • Note:
  • All people aged less than 20 years are eligible for free catch-up vaccines. Adult refugees and humanitarian entrants are eligible for free catch-up vaccines. Refer to catch-up immunisations information below.
  • People over 12 months of age with conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease require a dose of 13vPCV at diagnosis followed by 2 doses of 23vPPV. Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook (the Handbook) for dose intervals. Not all risk conditions are funded under the NIP. For eligibility refer to the ATAGI clinical advice on changes to vaccine recommendations and funding for people with risk conditions from 1 July 2020.
  • The NIP also funds vaccines for people of all ages with the following specified medical conditions (refer to the Handbook for dosing): asplenia/hyposplenia (MenB, MenACWY, pneumococcal, and Hib if required); complement deficiency (MenB, MenACWY); undergoing treatment with eculizumab (MenB, MenACWY).
  • Contact your state and territory health department for further information on any additional immunisation programs specific to your state or territory.

For all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

National Immunisation Program Schedule (from July 2020)

Age

Disease

Vaccine brand

Indigenous children (also see influenza vaccine)

Birth

 Hepatitis B (usually offered in hospital)a

H-B-Vax® II Paediatric or Engerix B® Paediatric

2 months (can be given from 6 weeks of age)

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Infanrix® hexa
  Rotavirusb Rotarix®
  Pneumococcal Prevenar 13®
  Meningococcal B Bexsero®

4 months

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Infanrix® hexa
  Rotavirusb Rotarix®
  Pneumococcal Prevenar 13®
  Meningococcal B Bexsero®

6 months

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Infanrix® hexa

Additional dose for children in WA, NT, SA, Qld and children with specified medical risk conditionsc

Pneumococcal

Prevenar 13®

Additional dose for children with specified medical risk conditionsc

Meningococcal B

Bexsero®

12 months

Meningococcal ACWY

Nimenrix®
  Measles, mumps, rubella M-M-R® II or Priorix®
  Pneumococcal Prevenar 13®
  Meningococcal B Bexsero®

18 months

 Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

ActHIB®
  Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox (varicella) Priorix-Tetra® or ProQuad®
  Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) Infanrix® or Tripacel®

Additional vaccine for children in WA, NT, SA, Qldd

Hepatitis A

Vaqta® Paediatric

4 years

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio

Infanrix® IPV or Quadracel®

Additional dose for children in WA, NT, SA, Qld and children with specified medical risk conditionsc

Pneumococcale

Pneumovax 23®

Additional vaccine for children in WA, NT, SA, Qldf

Hepatitis A

Vaqta® Paediatric

Indigenous adolescents (also see influenza vaccine)

12–13 years (school programs)g

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Gardasil®9
  Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) Boostrix®

14–16 years (school programs)g

Meningococcal ACWY

Nimenrix®

Indigenous adults (also see influenza vaccine)

50 years and overi

Pneumococcal

Prevenar 13® and Pneumovax 23®

70–79 yearsj

 Shingles (herpes zoster)

Zostavax®

Pregnant women

pertussis (whooping cough)kInfluenzal

Boostrix® or Adacel®
Funded influenza vaccinationl    
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 6 months and over    
  • (a) Hepatitis B vaccine: Should be given to all infants as soon as practicable after birth. The greatest benefit is if given within 24 hours, and must be given within 7 days.
  • (b) Rotavirus vaccine: First dose must be given by 14 weeks of age, the second dose by 24 weeks of age.
  • (c) Risk conditions are specified in the ATAGI clinical advice on changes to vaccine recommendations and funding for people with risk conditions from 1 July 2020.
  • (d) First dose of the 2-dose hepatitis A vaccination schedule if not previously received a dose. The second dose is now scheduled at 4 years.
  • (e) Administer first dose of 23vPPV at age 4 years, followed by second dose of 23vPPV at least 5 years later.
  • (f) Not required if previously received 2 doses (first dose at age 12 months or over) at least 6 months apart.
  • (g) Contact your state or territory health service for school grades eligible for vaccination.
  • (h) Observe Gardasil®9 dosing schedules by age and at-risk conditions. 2 doses: 9 to less than 15 years — 6 months minimum interval. 3 doses: 15 years or over and/or have certain medical conditions — 0, 2 and 6 month schedule. Only 2 doses funded on the NIP unless a 12 to less than 15 year old has certain medical risk factors.
  • (i) Administer a dose of 13vPCV, followed by first dose of 23vPPV 12 months later (2 to 12 months acceptable), then second dose of 23vPPV at least 5 years later.
  • (j) All people aged 70 years old with a catch-up program for people aged 71 to 79 years old until 31 October 2023.
  • (k) Single dose recommended each pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks, but may be given up until delivery.
  • (l) Refer to annual ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines.
  • Note: 
  • All people aged less than 20 years are eligible for free catch-up vaccines. Adult refugees and humanitarian entrants are eligible for free catch-up vaccines. Refer to catch-up immunisations information below.
  • Meningococcal B vaccine catch-up is available for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children less than 2 years of age for 3 years (until 30 June 2023). Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook (the Handbook) for dose intervals.
  • People over 12 months of age with conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease require a dose of 13vPCV at diagnosis followed by 2 doses of 23vPPV. Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook (the Handbook) for dose intervals. Not all risk conditions are funded under the NIP. For eligibility refer to the ATAGI clinical advice on changes to vaccine recommendations and funding for people with risk conditions from 1 July 2020.
  • The NIP also funds vaccines for people of all ages with the following specified medical conditions (refer to the Handbook for dosing): asplenia/hyposplenia (MenB, MenACWY, pneumococcal, and Hib if required); complement deficiency (MenB, MenACWY); undergoing treatment with eculizumab (MenB, MenACWY).
  • Contact your state and territory health department for further information on any additional immunisation programs specific to your state or territory.

Flu (influenza) vaccines

If you belong to any of the categories below, you are eligible to receive a free flu shot each year.

Flu (influenza) vaccines

If you belong to any of the categories below, you are eligible to receive a free flu shot each year.
Aged Comments
6 months and over with certain medical risk factors This includes anyone aged 6 months and over who has:
  • heart disease
  • severe asthma (requiring frequent medical consultations or use of multiple medications)
  • chronic lung conditions
  • diseases of the nervous system which affect your breathing
  • impaired immunity
  • diabetes
  • kidney disease
  • haemoglobinopathies
  • children aged six months to 10 years on long-term aspirin therapy
All children 6 months to less than 5 years None
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 6 months and over  None 
65 years and over None
Pregnant women Any trimester during each pregnancy

Catch up immunisations

All people aged less than 20 years are eligible for free catch-up vaccines.

The number and range of vaccines and doses that are eligible for NIP funded catch-up is different for people aged less than 10 years and those aged 10–19 years. Read more about NIP NIP catch-up immunisations.

Adult refugees and humanitarian entrants are eligible for free catch-up vaccines.

State and territory immunisation schedules

State and territory health departments also fund some additional vaccines. It is important to also check the immunisation schedule for your area.

International immunisation schedules

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information on worldwide immunisation schedules. Visit the website and select the country of interest to view:

  • a profile for that country
  • the relevant immunisation schedule
  • information on disease surveillance
  • vaccine coverage.

Next steps

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