Are you and your kids fully immunised? It’s easy to lose track of all the jabs you’re supposed to get so here’s a full list of all the immunisations recommended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, adolescents and adults.
Benefits of Immunisation
While you may not look forward to having a jab, it’s better than getting sick.
Immunisation gets your immune system ready to fight certain diseases. If you come into contact with a disease you’ve been vaccinated against, your immune system swings into action to fight it off. You might not get sick at all or you might get a mild dose of the disease and recover more easily.
Immunisation saves about 2.5 million lives a year, worldwide. That’s why we recommend you have all your jabs. They may help keep you well.
It’s particularly important to immunise your kids on time as they’re more vulnerable to illness because they’re so young. Immunisation helps protect them. They often need to show their immunisation record to enrol at school. If your kids aren’t immunised, they may not be able to attend certain early childhood services or schools.
Why Immunisation Is Especially Important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Overall, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are more likely to get sick because many live with ongoing conditions like diabetes that weaken the immune system and access to housing and healthcare isn’t as good as it should be.
Immunisation has saved the lives of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. It’s also prevented many cases of terrible diseases like polio, tetanus, hepatitis, measles and diphtheria.
The Immunisation Schedule
So, which jabs should you get and when? Here’s our guide to the Australian Immunisation Schedule.
Kids
Age
Immunisation
Birth
- Hepatitis B (your baby will usually be offered this before you leave hospital)
2 months
4 months
6 months
- Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Pneumococcal (an additional booster for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in Qld, SA, WA and NT).
12 months
- Meningococcal ACWY
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Pneumococcal
- Hepatitis A (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in Qld, SA, WA and NT)
18 months
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)
- Hepatitis A (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in Qld, SA, WA and NT)
4 years
Every year of life from 6 months
- Influenza (free every year for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders)
5-12 years
- If your child has missed any vaccinations, get a catch-up jab.
- Continue getting the influenza (flu) jab every year
Teenagers
Some of these jabs may be offered in school.
Age
Immunisation
Year 10
13-18
- If your child has missed any vaccinations, get a catch-up jab.
- Continue getting the influenza (flu) jab every year
Adults
Age or Stage
Immunisation
Every year
15-49
- Pneumococcal is recommended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with medical risk factors
Pregnant women
- Diphtheria, tetanus and Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Influenza
50+
- Pneumococcal is recommended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
65+
70-79 years
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
But I Really Hate Needles!
You’re not the only one. Most of us dislike having a jab. If you (or your kids) are afraid of the needles then try to keep calm by:
- Taking some deep breaths
- Distracting yourself with something else
- Playing or fiddling with something
- Asking the nurse to put a numbing cream on before the jab
- Reminding yourself that it’s over quickly.
How CRAICCHS Can Help
If you live near Cherbourg or Kingaroy, then make an appointment with CRAICCHS and our experienced staff will ensure you get the right jabs at the right time. We promise to be gentle!
