Adolescent immunisation

Routine vaccinations are scheduled at specific ages for adolescents for optimal protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines for this cohort are listed on the WA Immunisation Schedule and are provided for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) (external site).

For more information:

• View the WA Immunisation Schedule for more information about eligibility, at-risk groups, as well as tools and resources to support administration of vaccines.
• Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook for vaccinations recommended for special risk groups (external site).
• Refer to the immunisation provider information and resources page for details of your reporting and practice obligations.
• Catch-up vaccinations (external site) are available for persons up to 20 years of age (with the exception of the HPV vaccine which is up to 26 years of age).
• Use the National Immunisation Catch-up Calculator (external site) for children and young people under 20 years of age to provide a catch-up schedule, if vaccine doses have been delayed or missed.
• Stay up-to-date with important news about targeted immunisation programs and vaccines in WA and subscribe to Vaccine updates (external site) e-newsletters.
• On current coverage rates, learn more at Immunisation in WA.

School-Based Immunisation Program

The School-Based Immunisation Program provides vaccines to students in a school setting.

Adolescents who are home schooled or do not attend school can still be protected by accessing these free scheduled vaccines through their General Practice, community immunisation clinics or participating community pharmacies.

Influenza immunisation

The National Health and Medical Research Council (external site), recommends annual vaccination for individuals 6 months or older who wish to reduce their chances of becoming ill with influenza.

Learn more about influenza immunisation.

Useful resources

For providers:

• WA immunisation provider information and resources
• The Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site) | Australian Department of Health and Aged Care
• Why vaccinate/benefits of immunisation (external site) | Australian Department of Health and Aged Care
• Questions about vaccination (external site) | Australian Department of Health and Aged Care
• Talking about immunisation (external site) | Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) for health workers/providers

For parents/guardians:

• School-Based Immunisation Program information for parents (Healthy WA)
• Immunisation (Healthy WA) information
• Needle anxiety in children and young people resources (external site)
• Talking about immunisation (external site) |Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) for parents
• National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) (external site)
• Useful information following vaccination