Infographic. Vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents and adults

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are recommended to receive certain vaccines to provide appropriate protection against severe disease. These should be considered alongside other routine vaccines recommended for all Australians. Some are free through the National Immunisation Program.

Adolescents 15–18 years: 

• seasonal influenza every year (funded under the National Immunisation Program).

Adults:

• Hepatitis B if non-immune and non-vaccinated
• Seasonal influenza every year (funded under the National Immunisation Program)
• Pneumococcal vaccine – 1 dose of 21vPCV at 25 years of age or older (funded under the National Immunisation Program)
• Zoster at 50 years of age or older – 2 doses, 2 to 6 months apart (funded under the National Immunisation Program)
• RSV vaccine – 1 dose at 60 years of age or older (funded under the National Immunisation Program).

Non-pregnant women of child-bearing age: 

• measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) if seronegative for rubella.

Residents of the Torres Strait: 

• Japanese encephalitis for those living in the outer Torres Strait islands.

See the Australian Immunisation Handbook for more details.