Medical at risk immunisation requirements
In addition to the standard vaccines recommended on the childhood, adolescent and adult immunisation schedule, some people in specific groups are recommended to receive additional vaccines as they are at increased risk of some vaccine preventable diseases.
From 1 July 2020, the vaccines listed below are included on to the National Immunisation Program for specific medically at risk groups to further improve their protection against vaccine preventable diseases.
Meningococcal vaccines
Meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero®) and Meningococcal ACWY vaccine (Nimenrix®) are funded for people of all ages with specific medical conditions affecting the immune system that increase their risk of meningococcal disease.
Booster doses of meningococcal ACWY may also be required.
Further information is available at:
- National Immunisation Program- Meningococcal vaccines schedule from 1 July 2020: Clinical advice for vaccination providers
- AATGI clinical advice on changes to vaccine recommendations and funding of meningococcal vaccines from 1 July 2020
- ATAGI clinical advice on changes to vaccine recommendations and funding for people with risk conditions from 1 July 2020
Pneumococcal vaccines
Prevenar 13® vaccine and Pneumovax 23® vaccine are funded for people of all ages who have certain medical conditions that increase their risk of pneumococcal disease. The vaccine brand and number of doses will depend on the person’s age, medical condition and immunisation history.
Further information is available at:
- National Immunisation Program - Pneumococcal vaccines schedule from 1 July 2020; Clinical advice for vaccination providers
- National Immunisation Program - Pneumococcal vaccines schedule from 1 July 2020; Clinical decision tree for vaccination providers
- ATAGI clinical advice on changes to recommendations for pneumococcal vaccines from 1 July 2020
- ATAGI clinical advice on changes to vaccine recommendations and funding for older non-indigenous adults from 1 July 2020
- ATAGI clinical advice on changes to vaccine recommendations and funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 1 July 2020
- ATAGI clinical advice on changes to vaccine recommendations and funding for people with risk conditions from 1 July 2020
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine
Act-HIB® vaccine is funded for adults and children greater than 5 years of age with asplenia and hyposplenia (no, or reduced functioning spleen). A single dose of Hib vaccine is required if the person was not fully vaccinated as part of the childhood immunisation program.
Booster doses of Hib vaccine are not required.
See ATAGI clinical advice on changes to vaccine recommendations and funding for people with risk conditions from 1 July 2020 for further information.
Hepatitis B vaccine
An additional paediatric hepatitis B vaccine is included on the National Immunisation Program for low-birth-weight preterm babies as they do not respond as well to the hepatitis B vaccine as full-term babies. The additional dose is given at 12 months of age for babies born weighing less than 2000gms and /or born at less than 32 weeks gestation.
For more information see the Australian Immunisation Handbook hepatitis B chapter.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
A three dose course of Gardasil®9 is recommended for individuals with medically at risk factors which significantly affect their immune system. The additional dose to the standard two dose course offered as part of the School Immunisation Program is funded for adolescents aged 12 to less than 15 years of age in this group.
For more information see the Australian Immunisation Handbook Human papillomavirus (HPV) chapter.