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Select a category below to browse relevant vaccine information and FAQs

All adults

 All adultsPregnancy or planning for a babyAged50 and overAboriginal & Torres Strait Islander adults

All adults

Adults may be at risk of certain diseases depending on your personal circumstances. Learn more about these diseases and how you can help protect you and those around you.

  • Diseases

    Please select a disease to learn more or speak to a healthcare professional for more information.

    Chickenpox (varicella)

    With its typical red blistering and itchy rash, chickenpox is a highly contagious but generally mild infection.

     Learn more

    Diphtheria

    While now extremely rare in Australia, diphtheria continues to cause illness overseas.

     Learn more

    Seasonal Influenza (flu)

    This highly contagious viral infection can affect anyone and is more common in winter.

     Learn more

    Measles

    Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes a rash and fever.

     Learn more

    Meningococcal disease

    Initial symptoms of meningococcal disease can be difficult to recognise, and can easily be mistaken for a common cold or virus.

     Learn more

    Mumps

    This viral infection causes swelling of the salivary glands and fever.

     Learn more

    Rubella

    Also called German measles, rubella is generally a mild infection. Yet it can have serious, lifelong consequences for unborn babies or can lead to miscarriage.

     Learn more

    Shingles (herpes zoster)

    Shingles (herpes zoster) is a disease that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.

     Learn more

    Tetanus

    Caused by bacteria commonly found in soil and manure, which enter the body through wounds or breaks in the skin.

     Learn more

    Whooping cough (pertussis)

    This bacterial infection is highly contagious and affects people of all ages. It can cause serious disease in babies and complications in older adults.

     Learn more

The Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP) outlines a series of government funded immunisations given at specific times throughout your life. In addition, vaccines for other diseases that are not funded may be recommended in the Australian Immunisation Handbook (a resource developed by a government body to provide advice to healthcare professionals).1,2

Click on the diseases below and speak to a healthcare professional to learn more.

    All Adults: There may be a number of circumstances throughout adulthood that may put you be at an increased risk of certain diseases (e.g lifestyle/occupational risks, medical conditions) it is important to speak to a healthcare professional regarding your individual circumstances

  •  Immunisation funded via the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for certain individuals
  •  Immunisations may be recommended in the Australian Immunisation Handbook but is not funded

   

Diseases Planning for a baby Pregnancy 50 and over 70 to 79 years Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander adults
Chickenpox (varicella)          
 
Diphtheria          
 
Hepatitis B          
 
Measles          
 
Meningococcal ACWY disease          
 
Meningococcal B disease          
 
Mumps          
 
Pneumococcal disease          
 
Rubella          
 
Shingles (Herpes zoster)          
 
Tetanus          
 
Whooping cough (pertussis)          
 
Seasonal influenza          
 
  • 10
  • 12
  • 0

Reference:

  1. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). Australian Immunisation Handbook, Australian Government Department of Health, Canberra, 2018, immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au.
  2. Australian Governement Department of Health. National immunisation program schedule. available at: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/immunisation-throughout-life/national-immunisation-program-schedule

  • What are the common side effects of immunisations?

    You may experience some side effects after immunisation. Most are mild, short-lived and clear within a few days.

    Common side effects can include:

    • a sore arm
    • fever
    • pain and redness at the injection site.

    Severe side effects like an allergic reaction are rare. If you think you are experiencing a severe reaction, you should see a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

    If you have any concerns about the side effects of vaccines, please speak to a healthcare professional.

  • What is the National Immunisation Program (NIP)?

    The NIP is a schedule of vaccines that are provided for free by the Australian Government, to help protect against a range of different diseases.

    Many of the vaccines are given in early childhood and others through to adulthood.

  • How do vaccines work?

    Vaccines are given for potentially serious and fatal diseases that were common in Australia before immunisation was available. The germs that cause these diseases are still around – yet, thanks to high rates of immunisation in the community, most of these diseases are fortunately very rare.

    Don’t forget, in some countries, vaccine-preventable diseases are still common and can be brought into Australia by travellers.

  • Why immunise for less common or old diseases?

    Vaccines are given for potentially serious and fatal diseases that were common in Australia before immunisation was available. The germs that cause these diseases are still around – yet, thanks to high rates of immunisation in the community, most of these diseases are fortunately very rare.

    Don’t forget, in some countries, vaccine-preventable diseases are still common and can be brought into Australia by travellers.

  • Why do adults need to be immunised?

    Infectious diseases can affect anyone. Generally, it’s when you fall into one of these categories:

    • Those with underlying medical risks or chronic illnesses
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
    • Women planning a pregnancy, pregnant women, or those who are becoming a new parent or carer
    • People born overseas
    • Certain age groups e.g. adults aged 65 years and over
    • Overseas travellers
    • Certain lifestyles e.g. men who have sex with men, those who take recreational drugs
    • Work environments e.g. working closely with infants and children, healthcare workers.

    This is not a complete list. Please discuss your individual situation and any specific concerns with a healthcare professional.

  • Can I still get a disease despite being immunised for it?

    Like all medicines, vaccines are not 100% effective. Therefore, there may still be a chance that an immunised person can get the disease - although usually with less severe symptoms than if they’d had no immunisation.

    Don’t forget, the chances of exposure to a disease are reduced in communities where most people are immunised as is the case in most of Australia.

  • I’m going overseas soon. Do I need to see my doctor?

    The more prepared you are, the safer and more enjoyable your overseas trip will be.

    Some parts of the world are more prone to certain diseases than others but many of these diseases and infections could be prevented.

    It is important to plan ahead and see a healthcare professional at least 6 to 8 weeks before you travel to discuss prevention options and travel health. Take along your full itinerary so a healthcare professional can best assess your needs.

Useful resources

You might find these infectious diseases and travel advice sites handy too. Or for further information please speak to your Healthcare Professional.

Healthy ageing: Tips for adults aged 50+ Discover tips to help strengthen immune system function and keep you feeling your best as you age. Talk to your doctor about ways to maintain a healthy immune system and embrace healthy ageing

Learn More

PM-AU-AVX-WCNT-190010 Date of GSK Approval: January 2021

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