Aboriginal immunisation
WA Health is committed to improving vaccination rates for Aboriginal people.
Data from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) (external site) shows that Aboriginal children in Western Australia (WA) are receiving their vaccinations later and have overall lower immunisation rates compared to non-Aboriginal children. This leaves them vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).
Aboriginal peoples are a diverse population characterised by diverse languages, culture, and geographic distribution. The majority of Aboriginal people live in metropolitan areas compared to remote and regional settings. It is important for health practitioners to identify Aboriginal people and to assess their VPD risk based on an individual’s age, health, lifestyle etc, and in relation to vaccination recommendations.
A campaign created for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families explains the importance of childhood immunisation to keep our kids and the community safe from serious diseases.
- reminds families to have a yarn with health care workers about vaccines available on the schedule
- informs families about how disease affects children and the community
- educates families about the seriousness of vaccine-preventable diseases
There are also various videos and animations (external site) on childhood immunisation developed to help parents learn more about how vaccination can protect their child.
The Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation (SKAI)(external site) website has videos and simple information for parents and families on common questions around immunisation.
WA Aboriginal Immunisation Schedule
Aboriginal persons are at higher risk for some VPDs compared to non-Aboriginal persons. This is attributed to the higher rate of chronic health conditions and social circumstances that can lead to an increase in disease burden. Therefore, additional vaccines are recommended for Aboriginal people at certain ages.
The WA Aboriginal Immunisation Schedule (PDF 1.1MB) sets out a series of immunisations to be given at specific times throughout an Aboriginal person’s life.
NOTE: The Schedule is subject to change; please ensure to refresh your page or clear your browser cache to view the latest document
For Aboriginal children, these additional vaccines are for:
For Aboriginal adults, these additional vaccines are for:
Missed vaccinations
All Aboriginal children who have missed a routine childhood vaccination can receive it free up until they turn 20 years of age, while HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine can be received up to 26 years of age. For more information, visit WA Immunisation schedule and catch-up vaccines
WA Aboriginal Immunisation Network (WA AIN)
Aboriginal immunisation is a priority of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate (CDCD) Immunisation Program. The WA Aboriginal Immunisation Network (WA AIN) was established to facilitate a systemwide approach to improve Aboriginal immunisation rates across WA. Representatives from both government and non-government organisations working in Aboriginal immunisation currently make up the network.
The WA AIN aims to bring together individuals and organisations committed to improving immunisation coverage rates in the Aboriginal community. Therefore, any person with a vested interest in improving Aboriginal health, specifically relating to immunisation are encouraged to join the network.
The CDCD Immunisation Program provides secretariat support to the AIN. To contact the network, please email AIN@health.wa.gov.au.
Forums
Annual workshops (forums) are held to to create a network that consists of diverse stakeholders from both public and private sectors, to facilitate a system-wide approach to improving Aboriginal immunisation outcomes. The forum provides an opportunity for all those working in Aboriginal immunisation to share information on current projects and develop future ideas to achieve better immunisation coverage in the WA Aboriginal community.
For a copy of previous summary reports, please email AIN@health.wa.gov.au.
Aboriginal immunisation artwork
Local Noongar Artist John Walley created a unique visual identifier for the community to identify Aboriginal immunisation and its significance.
A Kooya was selected as frogs live in clean water holes and thrive under those conditions. Kooya’s story is ‘a Journey from kura, yeye and boorda wen’ (past, present and future through health). After clean water, vaccination is the most effective public health intervention.
Using the term – Aboriginal
Within WA, the term Aboriginal is used in preference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, in recognition that Aboriginal people are the original inhabitants of WA.
No disrespect is intended to our Torres Strait Islander colleagues and community.
Last reviewed: 26-09-2024
Produced by
Communicable Disease Control Directorate