Adult immunisation

Vaccinations are recommended for adults and pregnant people at scheduled ages for optimal protection from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines listed on the WA Immunisation Schedule are provided for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and other State-funded programs.

For more information:

• View the WA Immunisation Schedule for 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.
• 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.

Influenza immunisation

Seasonal influenza vaccines are funded for adults at higher risk of influenza-related complications such as pregnant people, older adults, those with medical risk conditions, all Aboriginal adults, and WA Health staff.

Learn more about influenza immunisation and check the Immunisation Schedule.

Antenatal immunisation

Immunisation against pertussis (whooping cough) and influenza (flu) is strongly recommended during pregnancy to protect expectant mothers and their babies against these serious infections.

Learn more about antenatal immunisation and check the Immunisation Schedule.

Immunisation for older adults

Vaccines against the following diseases are funded for older adults:

• Pneumococcal: for Aboriginal persons aged 50 and older, and non-Aboriginal people aged 70 years and over.
• Measles, mumps and rubella: for anyone born after 1965.
• Shingles: for Aboriginal persons aged 50 and older, and non-Aboriginal people aged 65 years and over. Further information can be found on shingles (herpes zoster) immunisation program.
• Influenza (annual): for Aboriginal persons aged 50 and older, and non-Aboriginal people aged 65 years and over.

Resources:

• Residential aged care consent form: RACH Immunisation Consent Form – WA Primary Health Alliance
• Communications toolkit: Infectious respiratory disease: vaccination eligibility and access for older people | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Further information can be found on the WA Immunisation Schedule.

Pneumococcal immunisation

WA Health provides pneumococcal vaccines for Aboriginal persons over 50 years of age, and for non-Aboriginal people over 70 years of age.

Further information can be found on WA Immunisation Schedule. Refer to ‘Reminders when using the Schedule’ for the Meningococcal and Pneumococcal Table.

Measles immunisation

WA Health provides Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine for all adults born during or since 1966 without evidence of receiving one or two documented doses of valid MMR vaccine or without serological evidence of immunity.

Further information can be found on measles immunisation program.

Mpox immunisation program

WA Health provides Mpox vaccines to eligible persons. Information can be found at Mpox (Monkeypox) immunisation.

Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) immunisation program

WA Health provides JEV vaccines to eligible persons. Information can be found at Japanese encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis: Information for local government and industry.

Useful resources

For providers:

• Immunisation for adults (external site) |Australian Department of Health of Aged Care
• Vaccination for women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding | The Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site)
• The Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site) |Australian Department of Health of Aged Care
• Why vaccinate/benefits of immunisation (external site) |Australian Department of Health of Aged Care
• Questions about vaccination (external site) |Australian Department of Health of Aged Care

For consumers:

• Immunisation (Healthy WA) information
• National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) (external site)
• Useful information following vaccination