The National Immunisation Program for babies, children, pregnancy and adults, with the rules that come up in questions.
Quick reference for AMC Part 1, about 3 minutes to read. Australian practice, checked against current guidelines as of October 2026.
Written to help you answer exam questions. Before treating a patient, check the current guideline and local policy. Medical disclaimer
Babies and children
Birth: hepatitis B, within 7 days and ideally within 24 hours.
2 months (from 6 weeks): DTPa-hepatitis B-IPV-Hib (hexavalent), pneumococcal (Prevenar 20) and rotavirus. Meningococcal B for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.
4 months: hexavalent, pneumococcal and rotavirus. Meningococcal B for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.
6 months: hexavalent. Pneumococcal for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and those with certain medical conditions.
6 months to under 5 years: influenza every year; two doses 4 weeks apart the first time in children under 9.
12 months: MMR, meningococcal ACWY and pneumococcal. Meningococcal B for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
18 months: MMRV, DTPa and Hib. Hepatitis A for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in WA, the NT, SA and Queensland.
4 years: DTPa-IPV.
Year 7: HPV (single dose) and dTpa. Year 10: meningococcal ACWY.
RSV in infants: protected by the maternal vaccine, or by nirsevimab if the mother was not vaccinated at least 2 weeks before birth or the baby is at high risk.
Pregnancy
Pertussis (dTpa): 20 to 32 weeks in every pregnancy; still give it later if missed.
RSV vaccine: 28 to 36 weeks.
Influenza: at any stage of pregnancy.
Live vaccines are not given in pregnancy. Avoid pregnancy for 28 days after MMR.
Adults
Influenza: free from 65, and from 6 months for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Shingles (Shingrix): free from 65, from 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Two doses, 2 to 6 months apart.
RSV (Arexvy): free from 75, and at 60 to 74 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. One dose.
Pneumococcal (Capvaxive): free from 65, and from 25 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. One dose.
After splenectomy: pneumococcal, meningococcal ACWY and B, and Hib vaccines, plus influenza every year.
Tetanus-prone wound: a booster if more than 5 years since the last dose; immunoglobulin as well if fewer than 3 doses or the history is unknown.
Rules that decide questions
Rotavirus: dose 1 before 15 weeks, dose 2 before 25 weeks. Never start it late.
MMR comes first at 12 months. MMRV is not used as the first measles dose in children under 4 because of febrile seizures.
Meningococcal B: give paracetamol with it in children under 2.
Preterm babies: vaccinate at chronological age, not corrected age.
Live vaccines (MMR, MMRV, varicella, rotavirus, BCG): not in significant immunosuppression or pregnancy. Give two live vaccines on the same day or 4 weeks apart.
After high-dose steroids: delay live vaccines until immunity recovers.
Observe for 15 minutes after vaccination, with adrenaline ready.
Catch-up: free for everyone under 20, and for refugees and humanitarian entrants. Never restart a schedule; carry on from where it stopped.
Not reasons to delay
A mild illness or low-grade fever.
Egg allergy (MMR and influenza vaccines are safe).
Prematurity, breastfeeding, or a pregnant mother at home.
A family history of vaccine reactions.
Stable neurological conditions, or taking antibiotics.
Systems
Every dose is recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook is the national reference.
No Jab No Pay links family payments to vaccination; No Jab No Play rules in several states apply to childcare enrolment.
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