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Even though adolescents may have been vaccinated as a child, immunity to certain diseases can decrease over time. Also new vaccines have been developed which can mean there are now some recommended vaccinations that were not available when adolescents were receiving vaccines as infants.
Currently, adolescents can receive free vaccines to protect against hepatitis B, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) and varicella (chickenpox) under the National Immunisation Program. There is also a free vaccine for girls for human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus which can cause cervical cancer.
The School Based Vaccination Program provides parents with the opportunity to have their child vaccinated at no cost through their school. For more information go to the School Based Vaccination Program.
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