Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
If you’re of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you may need extra vaccinations as you’re at higher risk from some diseases. Check out your vaccination schedule here.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are at higher risk of some life-threatening diseases. So it is important for you to get your jab on time and keep them up to date even once you’re an adult. You might also need to have extra jabs on top of those recommended for each group.
Jabs (immunisation) at a glance
- simple, safe, effective protection
- help your body build antibodies to fight diseases
- stop diseases spreading to others
- reduce the severity of serious diseases
Jabs protect you, your family and your community. Getting immunised at the right time is the best way to help stay healthy.
There are a few jabs to get, so if you or your bub have missed some, you can always catch up.
For more info, check with your doctor or health provider or call 13 HEALTH (13 432 584).
Health advice in relation to COVID-19 vaccine
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have been identified as a priority group for the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out program. This is because some First Nations people are more vulnerable to the effect of COVID-19 if they already have a chronic disease such as respiratory illness, diabetes or renal disease. COVID-19 makes these people more unwell and need to go to hospital.
First Nations people will be able to access the vaccine as priority. Queensland Health will keep you updated as to when you are eligible and provide you information on how to book a vaccination appointment. To find out more, click here.
View the Queensland Government’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out plan to assess when you’re eligible for a vaccine.
Catch-ups
Having catch-up vaccinations means people can complete a course of age-appropriate vaccinations in the shortest but most effective timeframe. This provides optimal protection against disease as quickly as possible.
Vaccination Schedule
People with medically at-risk conditions may require additional vaccines. Talk to your doctor for more information.
| Age | Disease | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | Hepatitis B |
|
| Tuberculosis |
|
|
| 2 months (can be given from 6 weeks) | DTPa-hepB-IPV-Hib (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio and haemophilus influenzae type B) |
|
| Pneumococcal | ||
| Rotavirus |
|
|
| Meningococcal B |
|
|
| 4 months | DTPa-hepB-IPV-Hib (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio and haemophilus influenzae type b) |
|
| Pneumococcal | ||
| Rotavirus |
|
|
| Meningococcal B |
|
|
| 6 months | DTPa-hepB-IPV-Hib (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio and haemophilus influenzae type b) |
|
| Pneumococcal |
|
|
| From 6 months of age onwards | Influenza |
|
| 12 months | Measles-mumps-rubella | |
| Meningococcal ACWY | ||
| Pneumococcal | ||
| Meningococcal B |
|
|
| 18 months | Measles-mumps-rubella-varicella | |
| Haemophilus influenzae type b | ||
| DTPa (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)) |
|
|
| Hepatitis A |
|
|
| 4 years | DPTPa-IPV (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio) |
|
| Hepatitis A |
|
|
| Pneumococcal |
|
|
| Year 7 students (or age equivalent) | Human Papillomavirus (HPV) |
|
| Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis | ||
| Influenza |
|
|
| Year 10 students (or age equivalent) | Meningococcal ACWY |
|
| Influenza |
|
|
| 19 to 49 years old | Measles-mumps-rubella |
|
| Influenza |
|
|
| Pregnant Women | Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) |
|
| Influenza |
|
|
| 50 years old and older | Pneumococcal |
|
| Influenza |
|
|
| 65 years and older | Influenza |
|
| 70 years and older | Varicella zoster (shingles) |
|
| Pneumococcal |
|
|
| Influenza |
|
* People with certain conditions have an increased risk of pneumococcal disease. They need extra doses of vaccines to optimise protection. For more information on pneumococcal vaccines, see your doctor or health provider.
