Vaccination is recommended for all adolescents in Australia, except under very specific circumstances.
If you decide not to vaccinate your adolescent, they will be more likely to catch a range of infectious diseases that can be serious.
You may also face limitations when it comes to access to school, travel options and employment opportunities.
Vaccination is recommended for all adolescents except under very specific circumstances.
If you decide not to vaccinate your adolescent or not to get all the recommended vaccinations on time, there are some things you’ll need to know.
Your adolescent will be at an increased risk of catching a serious infection and spreading it to other family members, including younger siblings and grandparents. There is also an increased risk of that infection developing into a severe illness that requires time off school.1,2,3
Even when treated, some infectious diseases may have life-long effects on the adolescents who catch them.
You can read more about serious infectious diseases and how to recognise them in What are the symptoms of infectious diseases?
You may face restrictions on some government payments and limitations on your adolescent’s access to school and work opportunities.
Your adolescent may also face increased risks when travelling within or outside of Australia or being visited by friends and family who have travelled recently.
In some states and territories, you may need to provide an immunisation record to enrol your adolescent in primary and/or secondary school.
Adolescents who haven’t had all of the recommended vaccines may be asked to stay away from school if there is an outbreak of disease.
An outbreak can last for weeks, and unvaccinated adolescents must stay away until it is over.
In some states and territories, your adolescent will only be allowed to undertake training for jobs in health care or the military if they are fully vaccinated.
Adults who need vaccinations to qualify for employment usually have to pay for them, and costs can be in the hundreds of dollars.
More information about immunisation for work can be found here.
Some of the diseases adolescents are vaccinated against in Australia are more common in other countries, including some destinations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
These can include diphtheria, tetanus and meningococcal disease. Your adolescent may be exposed to these illnesses when they travel in the future or if they are in contact with anyone who has recently travelled.
Please note: In SKAI Adolescent, the phrase ‘your adolescent’ refers to all guardian relationships where health decisions for an adolescent fall under your responsibility.
Drafts of this page were reviewed by members of our Consumer Advisory Group.