Aboriginal immunisation recommendations

The term Aboriginal is inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

There are additional recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for some vaccines due to a higher risk of some vaccine preventable diseases.

Recommendations for Aboriginal children

Under the National Immunisation Program, Aboriginal children in South Australia are also recommended to receive the following additional vaccines:

• Pneumococcal vaccine - at 6 months, 4 years* and 9-14 years of age*.
• Hepatitis A vaccine - at 18 months and 4 years of age.
• Meningococcal B - at 2, 4 and 12 months of age.
• Annual influenza vaccine - each year from 6 months of age. 

* If born before 1 July 2015 there is no funded catchup program for missed Pneumococcal 23 vaccine for these scheduled doses.

For more information on additional vaccines, see the: 

• Childhood Immunisation Program: Frequently asked questions (SA Health)

• Childhood Immunisation resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Australian Government)

The Australian Government has announced that the Abrysvo® vaccine will be added to the National Immunisation Program in 2025. It is recommended for people at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect them and their newborn child from the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) under the National Immunisation Program in 2025.

Infants whose mothers have not received the Abrysvo® vaccine and eligible young children will be able to receive the SA Health funded RSV monoclonal antibody from 1 April 2025.

More information about RSV immunisation programs will be made available before rollout in 2025.

Recommendations for Aboriginal adolescents

South Australia’s School Immunisation Program provides free recommended vaccines for students as part of the National Immunisation Program.

Year 7 vaccines

The immunisations provided in Year 7 are:

• human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine  
• diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine  

Why are these vaccines given in Year?

Human papillomavirus is a common sexually transmitted virus that can affect everyone.
The (HPV) vaccine is most effective if given between ages 10 to 13, before any exposure.

Children should have received several doses of a diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine as a child. A booster dose of the vaccine is recommended in Year 7 to maintain protection against these diseases.

For more information about the diseases and vaccines see the Year 7 fact sheet (PDF 662KB).

Year 10 vaccines

The immunisations provided in Year 10 are:

• meningococcal B vaccine, state funded
• meningococcal ACWY vaccine

Why are these vaccines given in Year 10?

Meningococcal vaccines are recommended for students in high school, between ages 14 to 16, due to their increased risk of meningococcal disease.

Kissing, being a smoker, and attending large gatherings such as parties, concerts and other crowded events increases the risk of young adults being exposed to meningococcal disease.

For more information about the diseases and vaccines see the Year 10 fact sheet (PDF 600KB).

Video resources

For more information on vaccines offered through the School Immunisation Program, the following video resources are available:

• HPV vaccine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (videos for families), Australian Department of Health and Aged Care
• Vaccination videos for high school students (videos for parents/carers and students), Australian Department of Health and Aged Care
• Supporting your child with disability with vaccination (video for parents/carers), Cancer Council.

See Immunisation for adolescents, Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, for more information.

In addition to the vaccines recommended on the School Immunisation Program, Aboriginal adolescents and adults are recommended to receive the following:

• Annual influenza vaccine - each year.

Recommendations for Aboriginal adults

As per the National Immunisation Program Schedule, Aboriginal adults are recommended to receive the following vaccines:

• Annual influenza vaccine – each year
• Pneumococcal vaccine – from 50 years of age. 1 dose of Prevenar 13® and two doses of Pneumovax 23®
• Shingles vaccine – from 50 years of age 2 doses of Shingrix® vaccine.

It is important for pregnant people and those planning pregnancy to be protected from vaccine preventable diseases - see Pregnancy and immunisation for more information.

For more information please speak with your doctor or immunisation provider.