National Immunisation Program Schedule

The Australian National Immunisation Program Schedule sets out the immunisations Australians are given at different stages in their life.[1] The program aims to reduce the number of preventable disease cases in Australia by increasing national immunisation coverage.[1] The program starts for an Australian when they are born. Vaccinations are given at birth, then again when the baby is 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months. The immunisation schedule continues when the child is 4 years old, and then into adolescent years. The program is not compulsory and parents have the choice if they want their child vaccinated.

National Immunisation Program Schedule
Jonas Salk holding two bottles containing the polio vaccine he created in 1955 One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a work in the public domain: The photograph is of Jonas Salk, the author of the photograph is The Owl, and the photograph was taken in 1957
SpecialtyHealth and Medicine
UsesThe National Immunisation Program is designed to prevent disease in Australia. The schedule sets out all vaccines available in the program
FrequencyThe immunisations range from birth through to adulthood
OutcomesVaccinations create immunity against harmful pathogens
CostAll vaccines listed in the program are free under Medicare benefits

Background

The National Immunisation Program was first introduced in Australia in 1997. The program was set up by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments.[2] The most recent update to the National Immunisation Program was effective since 1 April 2019. This was an update from the 2007 schedule, one change including the introduction of meningococcal ACWY vaccination for adolescents. The National Immunisation Program Schedule includes vaccines that are funded for children, adolescents and adults.[3] Additional vaccinations necessary when traveling to particular countries are not included in the program, nor are they funded.

"At September 2019, the national immunisation coverage rates were:

  • 94.27% for all one-year-olds
  • 91.43% for all two-year-olds
  • 94.82% for all five-year-olds" according to the Australian Government Department of Health.[4]

The national coverage rate has increased over the last 10 years, as of 2019.[4]

National Immunisation Program Schedule

Childhood vaccinations

Birth[5]

  • Hepatitis B

2 weeks (Can be given from 6 weeks of age) [5]

  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Polio
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b
  • Pneumococcal
  • Rotavirus ("First dose must be given by 14 weeks of age, and the second dose by 24 weeks of age"[5])

4 months [5]

  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Hepatitis B, polio
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b
  • Pneumococcal
  • Rotavirus

6 months [5]

  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Hepatitis B, polio
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b

12 months [5]

  • Meningococcal ACWY
  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR Vaccine)
  • Pneumococcal

18 months [5]

  • Haemophilus influenzae type b
  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR Vaccine)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)

4 years [5]

  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Polio

Adolescent vaccinations

12 – 13 years [5]

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)

14 – 16 years [5]

  • Meningococcal ACWY

Adult vaccinations

15 – 49 years [5]

  • Pneumococcal

50 years and over[5]

  • Pneumococcal

70 – 79 years [5]

  • Shingles (herpes zoster)


Citations and references
  1. Health, Australian Government Department of (2017-10-16). "National Immunisation Program Schedule". Australian Government Department of Health. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  2. Health, Australian Government Department of (2018-04-20). "National Immunisation Program". Australian Government Department of Health. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
  3. "Immunisation schedules | NCIRS". www.ncirs.org.au. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  4. Health, Australian Government Department of (2017-12-21). "Immunisation coverage rates for all children". Australian Government Department of Health. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  5. Health, Australian Government Department of (2017-10-16). "National Immunisation Program Schedule". Australian Government Department of Health. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
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