Immunisation in WA

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Immunisation schedule

The WA Immunisation Schedule outlines recommended vaccines at certain time frames, to provide optimum protection for each eligible and at-risk cohort. 

The WA Aboriginal Immunisation Schedule sets out a series of immunisations to be given at specific times throughout an Aboriginal person’s life.

People in at-risk cohorts, or those that require catch-up vaccinations, are eligible to receive free vaccines.

For information on immunisation programs in WA, please visit Immunisation schedule and catch-up vaccines.

Visit the online current edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site) for clinical guidelines on all vaccines in Australia, including vaccines not on the WA Immunisation Schedule.

National Immunisation Program

The National Immunisation Program (external site) (NIP) aims to protect Australians from vaccine-preventable diseases, and funding is provided by the Commonwealth. 

The WA Department of Health implements the NIP within the State, through strong partnerships and program support to immunisation providers and other stakeholders within the public and private sectors.

The WA Department of Health supplements the NIP through state-funded programs for specific cohorts that may be at-risk. 

National Immunisation Strategy

The National Immunisation Strategy (external site) 2019 –  2024 sets eight strategic priority areas to complement and strengthen the National Immunisation Program (NIP) consistently across state and territory governments it also outlines Australia’s key role in the Asia-Pacific region.

The strategy provides the necessary framework for maximising immunisation coverage in people of all ages, to prevent disease and the severe outcomes of disease, through access to vaccination.

WA Immunisation Strategy

The Western Australian Immunisation Strategy 2016 – 2023 builds and improves immunisation services established under the previous strategy and its vision. The strategy is focused on protecting individuals and populations from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). The key goals of the Strategy aim to:

• achieve or sustain high levels of immunisation coverage across WA, with equity in access to vaccines and immunisation services, including communities that have special needs because of remote location or socio-cultural or economic factors
• provide safe, high-quality immunisation services that instil public confidence and adherence to vaccine recommendations
• ensure cost-effective use of vaccines and efficient immunisation services 
• have timely and effective monitoring of immunisation coverage and surveillance of VPDs and the occurrence of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI)
• have clear communication with the public and providers about VPDs, vaccines and AEFI.

Visit Western Australian Immunisation Strategy for the full strategy.

Immunisation coverage in WA

Immunisation coverage is the single most reliable source of how protected WA individuals are, and how the WA Immunisation Strategy is performing to meet the objectives.

Immunisation providers report vaccine administration records to the Australian Immunisation Register – Services Australia (external site).

Immunisation coverage data is sourced from the AIR and published by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Please visit Immunisation data | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (external site)

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance | NCIRS (external site) also publish Australian immunisation coverage data including annual influenza coverage Influenza vaccination coverage – by jurisdiction. (external site)

More information

Immunisation Program – Communicable Disease Control Directorate
immunisation@health.wa.gov.au