背景

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). 

Variations to recommendations for additional vaccines vary from state to state, based on local disease burden. In addition to this, individual immunisation providers (e.g. hospital immunisation services) may have varying approaches to additional vaccines; this should be clarified with the local health service.

建议

All First Nations Australians are recommended to receive the same vaccines given to non-Indigenous Australians. Additional vaccines prioritised 为了 First Nations Australians Are summarised in the table below. 

Table 1: NIP-funded vaccine priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 

WordPress Tables Plugin

^ Refer to MVEC：脑膜炎球菌 for specific medical conditions and vaccination guidance.
# If Pneumovax 23 is inadvertently given before Prevenar 13 dose, wait 12 months before administering Prevenar 13.
* 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).
¥ If 6-month dose is not given, refer to 澳大利亚免疫手册 for catch up advice.
shaded boxes indicate live attenuated vaccines

Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) targeted through funding

  • 甲型肝炎

    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 水痘 (chickenpox) disease. Zoster episodes requiring primary care presentation and/or 住院 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：带状疱疹

  • 流行性感冒

    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

  • 脑膜炎球菌

    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：脑膜炎球菌

  • 肺炎球菌

    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：肺炎球菌

  • 结核病

    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

Access

Easy Access 到 vaccines 是 important. High vaccine coverage and being vaccinated on time are key 到 reducing the burden of many VPDs among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people秒.

All routine and additional immunisations can be administered via GP services, 理事会, 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.

资源

National

状态

Vic

作者： Rachael McGuire（MVEC 教育护士协调员）、Nigel Crawford（默多克儿童研究所 SAEFVIC 主任）和 Rebecca Feore（皇家儿童医院免疫护士）

审核人： Rachael McGuire (MVEC Education Nurse Coordinator) and Katie Butler (MVEC Education Nurse Coordinator)

日期： December 2023

本章节内的材料将随着新信息和新疫苗的出现而进行更新。墨尔本疫苗教育中心（MVEC）职员定期审阅材料的准确性。

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.