Department of Health

Vaccination for adolescents and young adults

Vaccination is offered to adolescents and young adults in Victoria under the National Immunisation Program to protect eligible people against a range of diseases.

Community immunisation information

The information on this page is aimed at immunisation providers. If you're looking for immunisation information for yourself, your family or someone you're caring for, visit Better Health Channel. 

Immunisation information on Better Health Channel

Key messages

  • The National Immunisation Program (NIP)External Link provides free essential vaccines to protect eligible adolescents and young adults (including refugees, asylum seekers and other humanitarian entrants) aged 11 – 25 years against a range of diseases.
  • Additional NIP-funded vaccines are recommended for people with specified medical risk conditions.
  • Year 7 and Year 10 secondary school students can receive free vaccination in the Secondary School Immunisation Program as part of the NIP.
  • Adolescents who don’t attend school or who miss school clinics may choose to access free vaccines from a general practitioner, pharmacy, local council or other health service.
  • Parent/guardian consent is usually required for vaccination of people aged under 18 years, but some adolescents may be able to give consent if they are considered a ‘mature minor’ [i]External Link by their health professional.
  • Resources are available to support the development of catch-up vaccination plan for eligible adolescents and young adults.

[i] Young people can be deemed to be able to provide consent for their own treatment if they meet the ‘mature minor’ or ‘Gillick principle’. This principle is enshrined in section 4 of the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016 (Vic)External Link .

Reviewed 17 June 2024

Health.vic

Contact details

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Immunisation Program Department of Health

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