Are your vaccinations up to date?

Cast your mind back to your last vaccination. Was it a flu shot last winter? A travel jab before a holiday? Or perhaps you genuinely can't remember? You're not alone. Many of us keep up with vaccinations during childhood, then gradually lose track as life gets busy. But immunisation isn't a one-and-done event — it's an ongoing part of looking after your health at every age. Each year, World Immunisation Week (held in the last week of April) reminds us that vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have for preventing serious illness — not just for ourselves, but for everyone in our community.

Why vaccination is a team effort

It's easy to think of vaccination as a personal decision, but the science tells us it's much bigger than that. When enough people in a community are vaccinated against a disease, it becomes very difficult for that disease to spread — even to those who can't be vaccinated themselves, such as newborns, people undergoing chemotherapy, or those with certain immune conditions. This is known as herd immunity or community immunity, and it only works when enough of us do our part.

The World Health Organization estimates that vaccines prevent between 3.5 and 5 million deaths every year worldwide. Here in Australia, diseases that once claimed thousands of lives — like polio, diphtheria, and measles — are now largely under control thanks to high vaccination rates. But that protection isn't guaranteed. When vaccination rates drop, even briefly, diseases can re-emerge. We've seen this happen with measles outbreaks in communities where vaccination coverage has slipped. Keeping our rates high is something we all contribute to, one vaccination at a time.

Vaccines across the lifespan — it's not just for kids

Australia's National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free vaccines at key life stages, from birth through to older adulthood. If you have children, your GP or child health nurse will have guided you through the childhood schedule. But what many people don't realise is that adults need ongoing vaccinations too — and some vaccines wear off over time, meaning boosters are necessary to maintain protection.

Here's a general overview of vaccines that may be relevant depending on your age and circumstances:

• Influenza (flu): Recommended annually for everyone, and free under the NIP for children aged 6 months to under 5 years, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, adults over 65, and those with certain medical conditions.
• COVID-19: Ongoing boosters are recommended for eligible groups, particularly older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Speak to your GP about your current eligibility.
• Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis): A booster (dTpa) is recommended every 10 years for adults, and is especially important for pregnant women and anyone who will be in close contact with a new baby.
• Shingles (herpes zoster): Recommended for adults aged 50 and over, and free under the NIP for adults aged 65 and over (and 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
• Pneumococcal disease: Recommended for adults aged 70 and over, and for younger adults with certain health conditions. Free under the NIP for eligible groups.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV): Part of the school-based program for adolescents, but adults who missed out may still benefit — speak to your GP.
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR): Adults born after 1966 who haven't had two documented doses may need a catch-up vaccination.

Flu season is coming — here's what you need to know

Influenza tends to peak in Australia between June and September, which means autumn is the ideal time to roll up your sleeve for a flu shot. Getting vaccinated in April or May gives your immune system enough time to build protection before the virus circulates most heavily in the community.

The flu vaccine is updated each year to match the strains predicted to be circulating, which is why an annual shot is necessary — last year's vaccine may not fully protect you this year. The flu can be a serious illness, particularly for young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. Even if you're generally healthy, vaccination reduces your risk of passing the flu on to someone more vulnerable.

Some people worry that the flu vaccine can give them the flu. To put this to rest — it can't. The vaccine contains either inactivated virus or just a protein from the virus, neither of which can cause infection. Some people experience mild side effects like a sore arm, slight fatigue, or a low-grade temperature for a day or two after vaccination. These are signs that your immune system is responding, and they pass quickly.

Special considerations for different life stages

Your vaccination needs change throughout your life, and certain situations may mean you need additional protection. Here are a few important examples:

• Pregnancy: Vaccination during pregnancy — particularly whooping cough and flu — protects both the mother and the newborn, who is too young to be vaccinated themselves. This is one of the most important things expectant mothers can do.
• Older adults: As we age, our immune systems naturally weaken, making us more vulnerable to serious complications from diseases like flu, pneumococcal pneumonia, and shingles. Vaccines for these conditions are especially important over the age of 65.
• People with chronic health conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, kidney disease, and compromised immunity can increase your risk of serious illness from vaccine-preventable diseases. Your GP can advise which additional vaccines may be recommended for you.
• Travellers: If you're planning overseas travel, some destinations require or strongly recommend vaccines beyond the standard schedule — such as hepatitis A and B, typhoid, meningococcal, or yellow fever. Ideally, see your GP at least 6–8 weeks before departure.
• New parents and grandparents: Anyone who will be spending time around a newborn — including grandparents and other carers — should ensure their whooping cough vaccination is current, as this disease can be life-threatening in babies.

What to do if you're not sure where you stand

The best starting point is a conversation with your GP. There's no need to feel embarrassed if you've lost track of what you've had — it happens to many people, and catching up is straightforward. Your doctor can review your immunisation history, identify any gaps, and create a plan that makes sense for your age, health, and lifestyle. In many cases, catch-up vaccines are available, and some are free under the National Immunisation Program.

Staying up to date with your vaccinations is one of the most straightforward and effective ways to look after your health — and the health of those you love. Whether it's your annual flu shot, a long-overdue booster, or a pre-travel check-up, every vaccination counts. As we mark World Immunisation Week, it's a good moment to pause and ask yourself: when did I last check?

If you'd like to review your vaccination history or find out which vaccines might be right for you, we'd love to help. Book an appointment with one of our friendly GPs at Cronulla Medical Practice — we're here to help you stay well at every stage of life.