Vaccinations help protect everyone from harmful diseases. Some vaccines are recommended only for adults. If you missed vaccines as a child, you may still be able to get them for free. If you’re not sure which ones you’ve had, talk to your GP, pharmacist, nurse or other immunisation provider.

Health advice about the COVID-19 vaccine

All people 18 and over should get a COVID-19 vaccination. A booster may also be recommended depending on your age, health and risk of severe illness.

Adults without severe immunocompromise

  • 18 to 64 years – consider a COVID-19 dose every 12 months
  • 65 to 74 years – we recommend a COVID-19 dose every 12 months, but some people may benefit from a dose every 6 months
  • 75 and over – we recommend a COVID-19 dose every 6 months.

Adults with severe immunocompromise

If you have severe immunocompromise, you may need COVID-19 vaccines more often.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has more advice about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Free flu vaccinations

Getting a yearly flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

If your child is aged 2 to 5 (under 6), they can now be vaccinated using a nasal spray instead of having an injection. The free nasal spray flu is also available for children and young people aged 6 to 17 (under 18) who struggle with getting a needle.

Vaccination schedule

You may need several different vaccines at certain ages. It’s important to get all the vaccines recommended for you on time.

If you have any medical conditions, you may need extra vaccines. Talk to your GP, pharmacist, nurse, or other immunisation service provider for more information.

20 to 49

All people 6 months and over should get an influenza vaccination every year.

If you were born during or since 1966 and haven’t had 2 doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, you should get 2 doses. You must wait at least 4 weeks between the first and second dose.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25 and over should also get pneumococcal vaccination.

50 and over

All people from 6 months of age should get an influenza vaccination every year.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over should also get a shingles vaccinations.

65 and over

All people 6 months and over should get an influenza vaccination every year.

People 65 and over should get the:

70 and over

All people 6 months and over should get an influenza vaccination every year.

People 70 and over should get the higher strength influenza vaccine for best protection.

75 and over

All people 6 months and over should get an influenza vaccination every year.

People 75 and over should get the:

  • higher strength influenza vaccine for best protection
  • RSV vaccination.

Catch ups

Talk to your GP, pharmacist, nurse, or other immunisation service provider about your immunisation history. You may be able to get free catch up vaccines to ensure you are protected.

Vaccination information in your language

You can find information about vaccination in your language on the Queensland Government website.

You can also watch our video.

Before you start it, select CC to choose your language.

Duration: 3:13

Vaccines for adults and other information

In Australia there are some vaccines recommended and provided for free to adults.

These include vaccines for women during pregnancy for people with some medical conditions and for people older than 65 years of age.

The vaccines given during pregnancy protect the woman and the unborn baby from diseases during pregnancy and in the first few months of the new baby's life.

As we get older, our bodies defences don't work as well and we become more vulnerable to some diseases.

Immunisations can provide protection for older people from these diseases.

Talk to your doctor about your vaccination needs.

To see which vaccines are recommended and provided free under the National Immunisation Programme Schedule in Queensland go to www.vaccinate.initiatives.qld.gov.au/schedule.

If you have questions or concerns about immunisation you can talk to your doctor or your local immunisation provider.

If you need help with English when you talk to them you can use an interpreter by calling 131 450. This service is free.

Australia is one of the safest countries in the world when it comes to vaccine preventable diseases. One of the main reasons for this is because Australia has one of the best immunisation programmes in the world.

Remember, immunisation saves lives.

Where to get vaccinated

Getting vaccinated is easy. You can get your vaccination from a GP, pharmacy, community clinic, or another vaccination provider.

You can get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as your flu vaccine.

Find out where to get vaccinated.

Find out more

For more information about vaccination, contact your health provider or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

Last updated:   July 2026

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