Background
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or First Nations Australians, have higher rates of some vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) than non-Indigenous Australians. This is due to a variety of factors, including access barriers to health care and preventative care, higher burden of chronic medical conditions and social determinants such as overcrowding and socioeconomic factors. For this reason, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are prioritised for additional protection through the funding of further vaccines on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and jurisdictional programs.
Variations to recommendations for additional vaccines vary across Australia, based on local disease burden. Individual immunisation providers (e.g. hospital immunisation services) may also have varying approaches to additional vaccines, and this should be clarified with the local health service.
Recommendations
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals should receive all vaccinations offered on the NIP. This includes vaccines that are offered to all Australians, and those which are funded for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals only.
The following table summarises the further vaccines that are prioritised for First Nations Australians, under the NIP or jurisdictional programs.
Table 1: NIP- and jurisdiction-funded vaccine priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
| Disease (vaccine) | Notes | Jurisdiction | |||||||
| ACT | NSW | NT | Qld | SA | Tas | Vic | WA | ||
| Tuberculosis (BCG) | SA: Given at birth to all babies on Anangu Pitjantjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Catch-up can be given up to 5 years Qld: Given at birth to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and to all children aged < 5 years living in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities | Qld ✓ | SA ✓ | ||||||
| Meningococcal ACWY (Nimenrix) | Given at 6 weeks, 4 months and 12 months (additional dose at 6 months for some underlying medical conditions)* | WA ✓ | |||||||
| Meningococcal B (Bexsero) | Given at 6 weeks, 4 months and 12 months (additional dose at 6 months for some underlying medical conditions)* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pneumococcal (Prevenar 20) | Given at 6 weeks, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 months (additional dose at 6 months- total 4 doses)^ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Influenza (age-appropriate brands) | Given annually from ≥ 6 months# | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| RSV (monoclonal antibody: Beyfortus) | ACT & Vic: Given to infants aged 8 to less than 24 months entering their second or subsequent RSV season WA: Given to infants born on or after 1 October 2024 entering their second or subsequent RSV season | ACT ✓ | Vic ✓ | WA ✓ | |||||
| Hepatitis A (Vaqta) | Given at 18 months and 4 years (total 2 doses) | NT ✓ | Qld ✓ | SA ✓ | WA ✓ | ||||
| Diphtheria (various brands) | WA & NT: Given to First Nations persons over 10 years of age who have not received a diphtheria-containing vaccine in the last 5 yearsΩ SA: Given to First Nations persons over 10 years who have not received a diphtheria-containing vaccine in the last 5 years; as well as contacts of a positive case who have not received a vaccine in the last 12-monthsΩ | NT ✓ | SA ✓ | WA ✓ | |||||
| Pneumococcal (Capvaxive) | Single dose at ≥ 25 years^ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Herpes zoster (Shingrix) | 2 doses at ≥ 50 years (2–6 months apart if immunocompetent, 1–2 months apart if immunocompromised)β| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| RSV (vaccine: Arexvy) | Single dose at ≥ 60 years | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
* Refer to MVEC: Meningococcal for specific medical conditions and vaccination guidance.
^ Adults with a specified risk condition should receive Capvaxive from ≥ 18 years of age/at time of diagnosis, ensuring that 12-months has elapsed since the previous dose of any pneumococcal vaccine – refer to MVEC: Pneumococcal for specific guidance.
# Healthy children aged < 2 years and children with a specified medical condition aged < 9 years require 2 doses in the first year of being vaccinated.
Ω A time-limited vaccination program has been initiated in response to an ongoing diphtheria outbreak.
β Shingrix vaccination is funded from 18 years of age for those with a history of haematopoietic stem cell transplant, solid organ transplant, blood cancer and advanced/untreated HIV).
shaded boxes indicate live-attenuated vaccines
Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) targeted through funding
Diphtheria
Australia is currently experiencing outbreaks of diphtheria (cutaneous and respiratory) across regional and remote areas of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia. As of 29 June 2026, 413 cases have been identified with 94.9% of these among First Nations people. A time-limited vaccination program has been initiated in some states to enhance protection against infection.
For more information refer to MVEC: Diphtheria.
Hepatitis A
Factors associated with hepatitis A transmission include (but are not limited to) overcrowding and poor sanitation conditions. Before the introduction of the NIP-funded Hepatitis A vaccination program, Hepatitis A was particularly prevalent in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Rates in First Nations children aged under 5 years were over 20 times higher than those in non-Indigenous children in the same age group. This disease burden was most prominent in more remote areas, particularly in northern Australia.
For more information, refer to Australian Immunisation Handbook: Hepatitis A
Herpes zoster (shingles)
Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes varicella (chickenpox) disease. Zoster episodes requiring primary care presentation and/or hospitalisation impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at an earlier age than non-Indigenous Australians. In addition, the increased burden of chronic and complex diseases means that First Nations Australians are more likely to develop herpes zoster and its associated complications compared with other Australians.
For more information, refer to MVEC: Zoster
Influenza
First Nations Australians are three times more likely than non-Indigenous people to be admitted to hospital for influenza and pneumonia. Vaccination can offer protection against disease and its complications.
For more information, refer to MVEC: Influenza page
Meningococcal
First Nations Australians have a 10-fold increased incidence of invasive meningococcal disease compared to non-Indigenous people across some age groups. Certain medical conditions further increase the likelihood of experiencing disease (e.g. immunosuppression, asplenia). Protection is offered through vaccination at the ages where disease affects individuals at the highest rates.
For more information, refer to MVEC: Meningococcal
Pneumococcal
Rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) are 6 to 7 times higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples compared with non-Indigenous Australians. The risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is greatest in young children under 5 and adults over 50 years. Protection is offered through vaccination at the ages where disease affects individuals at the highest rates.
For more information, refer to MVEC: Pneumococcal
Tuberculosis
In most areas of Australia, rates of tuberculosis are similar for First Nations Australians and non-Indigenous Australians. However, there are some specific regions where the burden of disease is higher amongst First Nations people. The reasons for this increased burden are varied; it may be associated with high density living conditions (contributing to ease of transmission) and being in close proximity to other countries with high rates of disease (contributing to imported cases by travellers).
For more information about tuberculosis vaccination (with advice specific to Victoria), refer to MVEC: Tuberculosis
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Children and older adults have the highest rates of RSV infection. Almost all children will have experienced infection by the age of 2 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are at greater risk of RSV‑associated hospitalisation than non‑Indigenous adults. Reinfection with RSV occurs throughout the lifetime since natural infection does not provide long‑term immunity.
Protection is offered via monoclonal antibodies (for administration in children < 2 years) and vaccines (Abrysvo during pregnancy which aims to protect the newborn, and Arexvy for older adults).
For more information about RSV refer to MVEC: Respiratory syncytial virus
Access
Easy access to vaccines is important. High vaccine coverage and being vaccinated on time are key to reducing the burden of many VPDs among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
All routine and additional immunisations can be administered via GP services, councils, hospital immunisation services, some pharmacies and local Aboriginal Health Services.
Other considerations
Individuals may also benefit from other vaccines not previously mentioned on this page, depending on other factors, such as:
- vaccination history
- medical conditions
- sexual orientation
- proximity to local outbreaks
- travel plans
- occupational risk.
Resources
National
- Department of Health and Aged Care: Immunisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- NCIRS: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Immunisation
- HealthInfoNet
- NCIRS: Vaccination for Our Mob
State
Vic
Authors: Rachael McGuire (MVEC Education Nurse Coordinator), Nigel Crawford (Director SAEFVIC, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute) and Rebecca Feore (Immunisation Nurse, The Royal Children’s Hospital)
Reviewed by: Rachael McGuire (MVEC Education Nurse Coordinator)
Date: July 2026
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
You should not consider the information on this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family’s personal health. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult a healthcare professional.