The Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to immunisation education is protecting more children from infectious diseases, with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island childhood immunisation rates hitting a record high.
New data for the September 2019 quarter shows immunisation coverage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is at record levels across all three age groups:
- One-year-old Indigenous coverage continues to move towards the national target of 95 per cent, with September 2019 coverage at 92.48 per cent, up 0.09 per cent since June 2019.
- Two-year-old Indigenous coverage rate is now at 89.51 per cent, up from 89.10 per cent since June
- The national coverage rate for Indigenous five year olds has increased by more than a percentage point over the last two years to 97.05 per
At 97.05 per cent, coverage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander five year olds is actually higher than for all five year olds at 94.82 per cent – just short of the 95 per cent target for providing ‘herd immunity’ for highly infectious diseases such as measles.
The Federal Government’s message to protect children from disease with lifesaving vaccines is reaching more parents, and our public health campaigns and immunisation programs are protecting more Australians.
Immunisation saves and protects lives.
Australia has world-leading vaccination rates for children, well above the global vaccination coverage of 85 per cent.
The latest figures show the Government’s No Jab, No Pay policy on childcare benefits, and the $20 million Get the Facts Childhood Immunisation Education Campaign, are working.
Phase three of the Campaign delivered a public relations strategy specifically focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents of children aged from birth to five years.
It also targeted Aboriginal Medical Services, which are a trusted source of information for parents, particularly in regional and remote communities.
Each year, the Federal Government invests more than $400 million in the National Immunisation Program to protect Australians of all ages against disease.
Immunisation is the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. Australia’s immunisation services, programs and policies lead the world, and this is reflected in our low incidence of vaccine preventable disease.
Full details of the latest immunisation coverage rates are available at:
- 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
About vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
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).
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.