Aboriginal immunisation

Aboriginal people are at higher risk for some VPDs compared to non-Aboriginal people. This is due to the higher rate of chronic health conditions and social circumstances that can increase disease burden. As a result, additional vaccines are recommended for Aboriginal people at certain ages.

The WA Aboriginal Immunisation Schedule (PDF 426KB) sets out a series of immunisations to be given at specific times throughout an Aboriginal person’s life.

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change; please ensure to refresh your page or clear your browser cache to view the latest document.

For Aboriginal children, these additional vaccines are for:

• hepatitis A (external site)
• influenza (external site)
• meningococcal disease (external site)
• pneumococcal disease (external site).

For Aboriginal adults, these additional vaccines are for:

• hepatitis B (external site)
• influenza (external site)
• pneumococcal disease (external site)
• zoster (herpes zoster) (≥50 years) (external site)
• respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (50 to 59 years in particular settings, for all ≥60 years, and 50 to 59 years in particular settings).

Missed vaccinations

All Aboriginal children who have missed a routine childhood vaccination can receive it free up until they turn 20 years of age, while HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine can be received up to 26 years of age. For more information, visit WA Immunisation schedule and catch-up vaccines.

Specialist immunisation service

A comprehensive immunisation service is available to all children and their families attending Perth Children’s Hospital. The service is comprised of specialist paediatricians and experienced immunisation nurses. It provides an opportunity for children and families to receive routine vaccinations, advice and education regarding current immunisation recommendations and to meet the vaccination needs of medically at-risk children.

Provider resources:

• Information and resources for immunisation providers (external link)
• Hepatitis B vaccination program for Aboriginal adults – frequently asked questions
• Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) (external site)
• The Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site)
• The comparison of the effects of diseases and the side effects of vaccines on the National Immunisation Program (external site)
• About immunisation (external site)
• Questions about vaccination (external site)
• National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) (external site)
• Superkids campaign (external site)

Consumer resources:

• Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) (external site)
• Needle anxiety in children and young people resources (external site)
• Useful information following vaccination
• Managing possible fever after meningococcal B vaccine flyer (PDF 518KB)

Aboriginal immunisation is a priority of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate (CDCD) Immunisation Program. The WA Aboriginal Immunisation Network (WA AIN) was established to facilitate a systemwide approach to improve Aboriginal immunisation rates across WA. WA AIN is currently comprised of representatives from both government and non-government organisations working in Aboriginal immunisation.

The WA AIN aims to bring together individuals and organisations committed to improving immunisation coverage rates in the Aboriginal community. Therefore, any person with a vested interest in improving Aboriginal health, specifically relating to immunisation are encouraged to join the network.

The CDCD Immunisation Program provides secretariat support to the AIN. To contact the network, please email AIN@health.wa.gov.au.