- About vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Children aged 5 years old or under
- Children aged 5 to 9 years old
- Children aged 10 to 15 years
- People aged 15 to 49 years old
- People aged 50 years old or more
Feature article
We seek all ACCHO assistance in supporting women to get vaccinated against influenza and pertussis during pregnancy.
The influenza and pertussis vaccines are available at no cost to pregnant women through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
The most important factor associated with uptake of influenza and pertussis vaccination during pregnancy is a healthcare provider recommendation.
The Department of Health is undertaking an online campaign to promote pertussis and influenza commencing March through to May 2019.
Key campaign messages
- Antenatal vaccination is recommended to protect both pregnant women and their babies from influenza and pertussis and their complications.
- Maternal antibodies against pertussis provide protection to babies until they have received at least two doses of pertussis containing vaccines (at six weeks and four months of age).
- Maternal antibodies against influenza provide protection to babies for the first few months of life until they are able to be vaccinated themselves at six months of age.
- Babies less than six months of age are at greatest risk of severe disease and death from influenza and pertussis.
- Pregnant women are also at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from influenza compared with non-pregnant women. Pregnant women are more than twice as likely to be admitted to hospital as other people with influenza.
Please note that the evidence around the timing of pertussis vaccination in pregnancy has recently been reviewed and the pertussis-containing vaccine is now recommended as a single dose between 20 and 32 weeks in each pregnancy, including pregnancies that are closely spaced to provide maximal protection to each infant.
This advice is reflected in the Australian Immunisation Handbook at www.immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au.
Please take all opportunities to speak to your pregnant patients and their partners about the importance of getting vaccinated against influenza and pertussis during pregnancy. Ideally, vaccination should be part of routine antenatal care.
To support you in these discussions, I have enclosed a number of resources that you and your patients may find useful.
These resources are also available for order or download from the Department of Health’s immunisation website at www.health.gov.au/immunisation.
About vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Read all previous NACCHO Aboriginal Health and Immunisation Articles Here
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are able to get extra immunisations for free through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) to protect you against serious diseases.
These extra immunisations are in addition to all the other routine vaccinations offered throughout life (children, adults, seniors, pregnancy).
https://beta.health.gov.au/resources/videos/get-the-facts-protect-your-mob-hero-video#
Getting your bub vaccinated is free and helps keep everyone safe from diseases.
My name is Belinda, I have four children.
No I was never late with my vaccinations, because I always check the health book you were given and at the back you know it tells you when you’re due for your vaccinations.
If there are children in your community that are not up to date, let their parents know to bring them to the clinic as soon as possible.
On each vaccination, you know the childhood nurse she explained to me what each injection was for and how often they were to have it.
I would say to other parents that it’s important to have your children immunised. Nothing scary about it.
Vaccinating on time makes sure your bub gets the best protection against serious diseases.
Get the facts at immunisationfacts.gov.au
Children aged 5 years old or under
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 5 years or under should receive all routine vaccines under the NIP. You can see a list of these vaccines on the Immunisation for children page.
The Australian Government recommends that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 5 years or under have the following additional vaccines.
Pneumococcal disease
An additional booster dose of pneumococcal vaccine is recommended between the ages of 12 and 18 months for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in:
- Queensland
- Northern Territory
- Western Australia
- South Australia.
Visit the Pneumococcal immunisation service page for information on receiving the pneumococcal vaccine.
Hepatitis A
Two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine are given 6 months apart. These doses should be given from 12 months of age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in:
- Queensland
- Northern Territory
- Western Australia
- South Australia.
The age that both the hepatitis A and pneumococcal vaccines are given varies among the 4 states and territories. Speak to your state or territory health service for more information.
Visit the Hepatitis A immunisation service page for information on receiving the hepatitis A vaccine.
Influenza
The influenza vaccine is free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over through the NIP.
Visit the influenza immunisation service page for information on receiving the influenza vaccine.
Children aged 5 to 9 years old
Influenza
The influenza vaccine is free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over through the NIP.
Visit the influenza immunisation service page for information on receiving the influenza vaccine.
Catch-up vaccines
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 5 to 9 years should receive any missed routine childhood vaccinations. Catch-up vaccines are free through the NIP. See the NIP Schedule for more information.
Children aged 10 to 15 years
Influenza
The influenza vaccine is free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over through the NIP.
Visit the influenza immunisation service page for information on receiving the influenza vaccine.
Catch-up vaccines
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 10 to 15 years old should receive any missed routine childhood vaccinations. Catch-up vaccines are free through the NIP. See the NIP Schedule for more information.
Other vaccines
All children should receive routine vaccines for children aged 10 to 15 years old. These are HPV (human papillomavirus) and diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis), meningococcal ACWY vaccines given through school immunisation programs.
People aged 15 to 49 years old
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 to 19 years old should receive any missed routine childhood vaccinations. Catch-up vaccines are free through the NIP. See the NIP Schedule for more information.
Influenza
The influenza vaccine is free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over through the NIP.
Visit the influenza immunisation service page for information on receiving the influenza vaccine.
Pneumococcal disease
Pneumococcal vaccines are free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 to 49 years old who are at high risk of severe pneumococcal disease.
Visit the Pneumococcal immunisation service page for information on receiving the pneumococcal vaccine.
People aged 50 years old or more
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years old or more should receive any missed routine childhood vaccinations. Catch-up vaccines are free through the NIP. See the NIP Schedule for more information.
Pneumococcal disease
Pneumococcal vaccines are free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years old or over.
Visit the Pneumococcal immunisation service page for information on receiving the pneumococcal vaccine.
Influenza
The influenza vaccine is free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over through the NIP.
Visit the influenza immunisation service page for information on receiving the influenza vaccine.