Infographic. Vaccination for healthy ageing

Adults over 50 years old are at increased risk of some vaccine-preventable diseases and of serious complications from these diseases, even if they are otherwise healthy. Check to see if they need any of the following.

• Booster doses – Immunity to some diseases can start to wane in older people, and they may need booster doses of some vaccines. Offer adults aged 50 years a booster dose of dTpa vaccine to protect against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, if their last dose was more than 10 years ago. Offer adults aged 65 years or over a booster dose of dTpa vaccine if their last dose was more than 10 years ago.
• Measles, mumps and rubella – If the person was born during or since 1966, check to see if they have received any MMR vaccines. Offer 2 doses of MMR vaccine, 1 month apart, if they have not already received them.
• Herpes zoster (shingles) – The incidence of herpes zoster increases with age, as does the incidence of serious complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia. Give 2 doses of zoster vaccine to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged ≥50 years, and non-Indigenous adults aged ≥65 years. Timing of vaccination and eligibility for free vaccine depends on whether they received a previous dose. Funded under the National Immunisation Program.
• Influenza – Influenza-associated mortality rates are highest among older adults and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Each year, give non-Indigenous adults aged 65 years or over a dose of seasonal influenza vaccine, funded under the National Immunisation Program. Each year, give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults of any age a dose of seasonal influenza vaccine, funded under the National Immunisation Program.
• Pneumococcal disease – Pneumococcal disease is more prevalent in older adults. For healthy non-Indigenous adults aged 70 years or over, give 1 dose of 13vPCV* if they have not already received a dose. Funded under the National Immunisation Program. Give 13vPCV* at least 12 months after any previous dose of 23vPPV. For healthy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 years or over, give 1 dose of 13vPCV*, 1 dose of 23vPPV 12 months later, and a 2nd dose of 23vPPV at least 5 years later. Funded under the National Immunisation Program.

See the Australian Immunisation Handbook for more details.

* 15vPCV and 20vPCV are available as alternatives to 13vPCV, but are not currently NIP-funded.