Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and immunisation

Extra vaccines recommended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are available and funded through the National Immunisation Program (NIP). These vaccines are recommended because vaccine preventable diseases are major causes of preventable sickness and death in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Children

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in Queensland require extra protection against some diseases. In addition to the routine childhood immunisations, vaccines for the following diseases are recommended and funded:

• influenza (from six months of age onwards)
• tuberculosis
• meningococcal B
• hepatitis A
• pneumococcal (additional vaccines at six months and four years of age).

It is very important that your baby is vaccinated on time at two months (can be given from six weeks), four months, six months and 12 months of age. Delaying vaccinations means that your baby is at high risk of serious diseases such as whooping cough, meningococcal, pneumococcal and gastrointestinal diseases.

Adults

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (and children from six months of age) are eligible for

• Annual influenza vaccine

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults 50 years and older are eligible for:

• pneumococcal vaccine

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are eligible for:

• COVID-19 vaccine

Read more information about where to get vaccinated.