Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
State and Territory information:
Information about vaccination programs for Indigenous children and adults is provided on this webpage.
Vaccination for our Mob, a summary report prepared by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), describes the national picture of vaccine coverage and vaccine preventable disease in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Please refer to Part 2.1 Vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC). for more technical information.
Children
Adolescents
Adults
Children
The National Immunisation Program Schedule for Indigenous Australians poster (PDF 227 KB) shows the additions to the routine vaccines required by children living in Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia. The children from these states should receive all the routine vaccines given to other children, with the following additions:Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
The preferred vaccine is a specific type, called Hib PRP-OMP. This vaccine provides increased protection to very young infants and is used because there is an increased risk for this age group among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in these areas. This vaccine should be given at 2, 4 and 12 months of age, at the same time as other routine vaccines.Pneumococcal infection
An additional booster dose of the pneumococcal vaccine (PneumoVax®23) is required between 18 and 24 months. This is required because Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in these areas continue to be at risk of pneumococcal disease for a longer period than other children. The vaccine used for this dose is a different one from the one used for babies.More information:
Is your baby or child Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander? (Poster) (PDF 207 KB)
Updated: January 2005
Hepatitis A vaccination program
The Government provides free hepatitis A vaccines for all Indigenous children under five years of age living in Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.A viral illness, hepatitis A causes inflammation of the liver. Some people who become infected with the virus have no symptoms, some have a mild disease which lasts a few weeks and others have a severe and disabling illness lasting several months. In rare cases the disease can be fatal.
More information:
Hepatitis A vaccination program - common questions & answers for the public
Updated: November 2005
Hepatitis A vaccination program - common questions & answers for providers
Updated: November 2005
Adolescents
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program
On 29 November 2006, the Australian Government announced funding for a Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program to commence from April 2007. The vaccine will be funded under the National Immunisation Program on an ongoing basis for 12 and 13 year old girls to be delivered through schools. The Government will also fund a two year catch-up program for 13 to 18 year old girls in schools and 18 to 26 year old women to be delivered through general practice and community based programs.Adults
National Indigenous pneumococcal and influenza immunisation program (NIPII)
This program provides free vaccines, through community controlled Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS), State/Territory immunisation clinics and general practitioners, for Indigenous people who are:- aged over 50; and
- aged 15 to 49 who are at high risk, according to NHMRC recommendations.
More information:
The national Indigenous pneumococcal & influenza immunisation (NIPII) program - healthcare provider fact sheet
Updated: 2004
The national Indigenous pneumococcal & influenza immunisation (NIPII) program - healthcare provider fact sheet [NT version]
Updated: 2004
The national Indigenous pneumococcal & influenza immunisation (NIPII) program - general practitioner fact sheet
Updated: 2004
The national Indigenous pneumococcal & influenza immunisation (NIPII) program - general practitioner fact sheet [NT version]
Updated: 2004
Women: Protect yourself, your elders and your community - poster
Updated: 2004
Women: Protect yourself, your elders and your community [NT version] - poster
Updated: 2004
Men: Protect yourself, your elders and your community - poster
Updated: 2004
Men: Protect yourself, your elders and your community [NT version] - poster
Updated: 2004
The image(s) used have been selected from a collection of photographs that were taken for use in the Health for Life Program. The Department of Health and Ageing acknowledges and thanks the many people who participated in the photo shoots and gave permission for the images to be used in departmental publications.
Page last modified: 08 April, 2008
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