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.

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 31 January 2024

Health.vic

Contact details

Opening hours:  9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Immunisation Unit Department of Health

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