” World Immunization Week – celebrated this week April (24 to 30 April) – aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions
Yet, there are still nearly 20 million children in the world today who are not getting the vaccines they need.
The theme this year is #VaccinesWork for All and the campaign will focus on how vaccines – and the people who develop, deliver and receive them – are heroes by working to protect the health of everyone, everywhere.
2020 campaign objectives
The main goal of the campaign is to urge greater engagement around immunization globally and the importance of vaccination in improving health and wellbeing of everyone, everywhere throughout life.
As part of the 2020 campaign, WHO and partners aim to:
- Demonstrate the value of vaccines for the health of children, communities and the world.
- Show how routine immunization is the foundation for strong, resilient health systems and universal health coverage.
- Highlight the need to build on immunization progress while addressing gaps, including through increased investment in vaccines and immunization.
“Getting the flu vaccine early will help alleviate pressure on the health system. With many of our health resources focused on saving lives and treating those with COVID-19, we need to reduce the number of presentations for influenza.
We also need to provide greater protections for vulnerable people to minimise the possibility that they could contract both influenza and COVID-19.
The best and safest place to get the flu vaccine is from your GP at your local ACCHO or general practice.”
AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, reiterated the AMA recommendation that people should get their seasonal flu vaccination somewhat earlier this year to help provide greater individual and community health protection throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 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 and free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 6 months who live 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.
With Coronavirus COVID19 indicating that smokers are extremely vulnerable, Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia Inc. has called on Federal and State Health Ministers to extend their budgets to encourage far more smokers to escape their addiction, and, at the same time to protect their families and friends by not smoking near them, also to reduce take-up, and help quitters being triggered to smoke by taking smoking out of sight.
Minister Greg Hunt announced in October 2019 that there are about 2,500,000 smokers in Australia, and about 20,000 people die as a result of tobacco (from smoking or from exposure to the toxins in second-hand smoke) and it chews up $137 billion annually in health, productivity and social costs. Tobacco tax revenue is about $17 billion. Do the sums.