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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and vaccines

Some vaccine preventable diseases are more common and more severe in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples compared to the general Australian population.

For this reason, the government has funded some specific vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the National Immunisation Program (NIP). In addition, the ACT Government has funded hepatitis B and diphtheria-containing vaccine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These vaccines are free, but you may need to pay a consultation fee to receive the vaccine.

In the ACT, these additional vaccines help protect from influenza (flu), pneumococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), meningococcal B infection and diphtheria.

Influenza vaccine

The flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.

The influenza vaccine is recommended and free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 6 months and over.

Find out more about influenza vaccines.

Invasive pneumococcal disease

Invasive pneumococcal disease is caused by a bacteria. This can cause severe illness including infection of the brain, blood or lungs.

Pneumococcal vaccine is funded for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who:

Go to the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website for more information about pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal vaccines.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infection caused by hepatitis B virus that affects the liver. Hepatitis B virus may be transmitted by inoculation through broken or penetrated skin, or by mucosal contact with blood or other body fluids (mainly vaginal fluids and semen) from an infectious person.

In the ACT, hepatitis B vaccines are funded for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Find out more about hepatitis B vaccine by visiting the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that can infect your airways and lungs. It is highly contagious and spreads easily.

RSV vaccination is funded for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 years and over.

Find out more about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

Shingles

Shingles (also called herpes zoster) is the disease caused when the chickenpox virus reactivates.

It is a painful skin rash that often includes blisters. The rash usually appears on one side of your face or body and lasts for 2 to 4 weeks. Persistent pain from shingles can be very severe and can last for a year or more.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over are eligible for 2 doses of government funded shingles vaccine.

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a contagious infection caused by toxic strains of bacteria. It usually affects the nose, throat and tonsils (respiratory diphtheria) but can also affect the skin (cutaneous diphtheria).

The ACT is implementing a time-limited vaccination program, with expanded booster recommendations and funding for eligible people, in response to the current diphtheria outbreak in northern and central Australia.

Eligibility for the ACT-funded diphtheria vaccination program includes all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 20 years and over that meet any of the following criteria:

  • have not had a diphtheria-containing vaccine in the last 10 years, or
  • are travelling to an outbreak-affected area and have not had a diphtheria containing vaccine in the last 5 years, or
  • are unvaccinated or require catch-up vaccination.

Getting your children vaccinated

Immunisation protects against many diseases. You can help your child stay healthy by giving all immunisations on time.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are eligible for Meningococcal B vaccines at 2, 4, and 12 months of age. An extra dose is funded for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with specified medical risk conditions at 6 months of age.

An extra funded dose of pneumococcal vaccine is also available at 6 months of age for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children.

The annual flu vaccine is recommended and available for free from 6 months of age.

Find out more about when children should be immunised at the ACT Immunisation Schedule.