Page last updated
11 November 2025
Age
Baby
Your baby’s immune system is not fully developed like older children and adults. Therefore, vaccination is an effective way to protect your baby against certain vaccine-preventable diseases.
A number of vaccinations are required in the first few years of a child’s life, and it is important that your baby receives their vaccinations on time so that they can achieve maximum protection. The Department of Health and Ageing’s National Immunisation Program (NIP) outlines the recommended vaccinations for babies and when they are due.
Vaccinations listed in the NIP are free, and include vaccination at birth, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months. 2,3 The schedule then resumes at 4 years, and again at adolescence (12–16 years).
The NIP includes the following vaccinations for babies in their first 18 months:
| Age | Vaccination |
| Birth |
|
| 2 months |
Additional vaccine available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and medically at-risk children (from 1 July 2020):
|
| 4 months |
Additional vaccine available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and medically at-risk children (from 1 July 2020):
|
| 6 months |
|
|
Additional vaccine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (QLD, NT, WA, and SA) and medically at-risk children:
Additional vaccine available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and medically at-risk children (from 1 July 2020):
|
|
| 12 months |
Additional vaccine available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and medically at-risk children (from 1 July 2020):
|
| 18 months |
|
|
Additional vaccine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (QLD, NT, WA, and SA) and medically at-risk children:
|
Speak with a healthcare professional about your child’s vaccination needs.
Commonly asked questions
Sources & Citations
- Australian Government. Department of Health. Why get immunised? Available at: https://campaigns.health.gov.au/immunisationfacts/why-get-immunised (accessed 27 May 2022).
- Australian Government. Department of Health. National Immunisation Program Schedule. Available at: https://beta.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-immunisation-program-schedule-portrait (accessed 27 May 2022).
- Australian Government. Department of Health. ATAGI Clinical advice on changes to recommendations for the use and funding of pneumococcal vaccines from July 1 2020. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/06/atagi-clinical-advice-on-changes-to-recommendations-for-pneumococcal-vaccines-from-1-july-2020_0.pdf (accessed 1 June 2022).
- Australian Government. Department of Health. ATAGI Clinical advice on changes to recommendations for the use and funding of meningococcal vaccines from July 1 2020. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-clinical-advice-on-changes-to-recommendations-for-meningococcal-vaccines-from-1-july-2020 (accessed 1 June 2022).
- Australian Government. Department of Health. ATAGI Clinical advice on transitioning to the new hepatitis A vaccination schedule on the National Immunisation Program from 1 July 2020. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/06/atagi-clinical-advice-on-hepatitis-a-vaccine.pdf (accessed 1 June 2022).
- Australian Government. Department of Health. How do I immunise my child? Available at: https://campaigns.health.gov.au/immunisationfacts/how-do-i-immunise-my-child (accessed 28 May 2022).
- Baby Centre. What extra immunisations are available? Available at https://www.babycenter.com.au/a25019267/what-extra-immunisations-are-available#ixzz5Ez4jNYxg (accessed 28 May 2022).
- Australian Government. Department of Health. Catch-up immunisations. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/health-professionals/catch-up-immunisations (accessed 27 May 2022).
- City of Monash. Immunisation – Frequently Asked Questions. Available at: https://www.monash.vic.gov.au/Community/Children-Family/Immunisation/Childhood-Immunisations-and-Council-Sessions/Immunisation-Frequently-Asked-Questions (accessed 28 May 2022).
- Australian Government. Department of Health. Australian Immunisation Handbook. Vaccination for preterm infants. Available at: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccination-for-special-risk-groups/vaccination-for-preterm-infants (accessed 28 May 2022).
MAT-AU-2201303 Date of preparation June 2022
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