Short videos about vaccinations in Queensland

Vaccinations in Queensland

This video explains immunisation in Queensland.

In Australia, vaccines are recommended for children, adolescents and adults according to the National Immunisation Program schedule. These vaccines are provided free by the government; but some immunisation providers will charge a fee for their service.

Vaccination provides the best protection from many dangerous infectious diseases. The vaccines on the National Immunisation Program schedule may be different to vaccines in other countries.

Even if you have had vaccines before you came to Australia, you may need other vaccines to catch-up with the Australian schedule.

Talk to your doctor to make sure you and all your family members have had all the vaccines you need to protect yourself and your community.
In Queensland, vaccinations are given by doctors, nurses and specially trained pharmacists.

You can be vaccinated at a doctor’s clinic, some local council clinics and some pharmacies.

Ask your doctor to create or update your immunisation record on the Australian Immunisation Register, in short AIR. This register records all vaccinations given to people in Australia.

Vaccinations you have had overseas can also be added to the register if you have an immunisation record.

You can ask your doctor to print your immunisation record or call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 to ask for a copy.

You can use an interpreter by calling 131 450. This service is free.

You can also download your immunisation record from your Medicare account through my.gov.au.

If you have an overseas immunisation record in a language other than English, you can get the record translated for free. Visit translating.homeaffairs.gov.au for more information.

Vaccines for babies and children

In Australia, vaccination is recommended for children at birth, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months of age and again at 4 years of age.

All children from 6 months of age should also have the flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine is free in Queensland for children aged from 6 months to less than 5 years.

Children from other countries may need to catch up on vaccines recommended in the National Immunisation Program schedule. All vaccinations should be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register, in short AIR.

Most childcare centres in Queensland will ask you for your child’s immunisation record, also called an immunisation history statement. This shows if your child is up-to-date with their vaccinations. Your child’s school may also ask for this statement.

Vaccinations your child had in another country can also be added to your child’s immunisation record on AIR. Give a copy of your child’s record to your immunisation provider and ask for the information to be added to AIR.

If your child’s immunisations are not up-to-date, you may miss out on government childcare payments and other family assistance payments.

Ask your doctor to print a copy of your child’s immunisation record or call the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809.

You can use an interpreter by calling 131 450. This service is free.

You can also download the record from your Medicare account through my.gov.au.

Vaccines for adolescents

Certain vaccines are recommended for adolescents in Queensland. This includes some boosters for childhood vaccines.

Adolescents in Year 7 and Year 10 can get free vaccinations through the Queensland School Immunisation Program. If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10, your child will be given immunisation consent forms, which need to be completed and returned to your child’s school. Your child will not be vaccinated without this written consent.

If an adolescent in your family has missed vaccinations or does not have an immunisation record, your doctor can plan a ‘catch-up schedule’ for them. Catch-up vaccines are free for those between 10 to 19 years of age.

All vaccinations are recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register, in short AIR.

People over 14 years of age can access their own immunisation record, also called an immunisation history statement on AIR.

Ask your doctor to print a copy of your child’s immunisation record or call AIR on 1800 653 809.

You can use an interpreter by calling 131 450.

You can also download the record from your Medicare account through my.gov.au.

If young people under 20 years of age don’t have an immunisation record on AIR, family assistance payments may be impacted. Being up-to-date with vaccinations will allow families to get the full payments.

Always talk to your doctor if you have questions about your vaccinations.

Vaccines for adults

In Australia, there are some vaccines recommended and provided for free to adults. These include vaccines for women during pregnancy, for people with some medical conditions, and for people older than 65 years.

As we get older, our bodies defences don’t work as well, and we become more vulnerable to some diseases.

Immunisations can provide protection for older people from these diseases. Talk to your doctor about your vaccination needs.