Vaccinations

What are Vaccinations?

Vaccinations, also known as immunisations, are medicines that protect you against harmful diseases that you have not come into contact with before.

They do this by encouraging your immune system to produce antibodies, as it does when exposed to a disease. You do not develop the disease because the medicine contains only killed or weakened forms of viruses or bacteria. There are new forms of vaccination that work differently.

If you have a vaccination, it is usually by injection. Alternatively, you could be given one by mouth or into your nose.

Does Medicare cover Vaccinations?

Does Medicare cover the cost of vaccines under the National Immunisation Program?

Yes. The Australian Government runs the National Immunisation Program (NIP). It schedules a series of vaccinations at specific times in your life from birth to adulthood. 

Medicare covers the cost of this program.

All vaccines listed in the NIP Schedule are free. You will receive free immunisation if you are eligible for Medicare and have a Medicare Card.

 The NIP covers vaccinations for 14 childhood illnesses and diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Pertussis (whooping cough) 
• Polio
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (the ‘flu’)
• Rotavirus (can cause severe gastroenteritis)
• Pneumococcal disease (can lead to pneumonia, or ear and sinus infections)
• Meningococcal (can become a medical emergency as it can be fatal)
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella (German measles)
• Chickenpox
• HPV (human papilloma virus).

Pregnant women can receive vaccinations for Pertussis (whooping cough). 

For those aged 70 and over, the NIP offers vaccination for:

• Shingles (herpes zoster)
• Pneumococcal disease.

Does the Australian Government encourage vaccination?

Yes. The Australian Government encourages vaccination, especially for children.

The Government’s ‘No Jab, No Pay’ policy requires families to vaccinate their children in line with the NIP Schedule. This means you have to vaccinate your child to be eligible for certain family support (Centrelink) payments, including:

• Child Care Benefit
• Child Care Rebate
• Family Tax Benefit Part A.

Does Medicare cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines?

Yes. Everyone can get a COVID-19 vaccine for free in Australia, including:

• asylum seekers
• migrant workers
• overseas visitors
• overseas students.

You do not have to be eligible for Medicare or have a Medicare Card.

Anyone over 5 years old can book a COVID-19 vaccination. 

The easiest way to book a COVID-19 vaccination is through the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.

Does Medicare cover the cost of vaccines not included in the NIP?

No. Medicare does not cover the cost of vaccines that are not included in the NIP.

Does Medicare cover the cost of a General Practitioner giving a vaccination?

Medicare will pay some or all the cost of a doctor’s appointment for Vaccinations depending on whether or not your doctor bulk bills. 

Do the state and territory governments cover the cost of vaccinations?

In Australia, the state and territory governments cover the cost of some vaccines not covered by Medicare.

Each has its own vaccination schedule:

• ACT
• NSW
• NT – adults and special groups schedule
• NT – children
• QLD
• SA
• TAS – adults and children
• TAS – flu
• VIC
• WA – adults
• WA – children.

Does your private health insurance cover Vaccinations?

If your private health insurance covers Vaccinations, it falls under Extras Cover.

If you have a high enough level of cover, your Extras Cover may include vaccinations not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). They need to be registered with the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA).

Ask your insurer whether it covers Vaccinations.

If so, check whether Vaccinations are subject to:

• a waiting period before you can make a claim
• per claim limits
• annual limits.

Compare Extras Cover from every private health insurer in Australia

Use our healthslips.com.au Calculator to find the best Extras Cover for you.