Free diphtheria vaccines during outbreak response

To reduce serious illness and limit the spread of disease some people can now access an additional diphtheria vaccine as part of the NT outbreak response.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your community from diphtheria. It's important to remember you can already access free diphtheria vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for:

• infants and children at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months and 4 years
• adolescents from 12 years, may be given as part of the school immunisation program
• people under the age of 20 who require catch up vaccination
• pregnancy from 20 weeks
• refugee and humanitarian entrants.

Expanded free eligibility for a limited time

The NT has expanded eligibility for free diphtheria vaccine for a limited time to:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 10, who have not had a diphtheria vaccine in the last 5 years
• any adult who has not had a diphtheria vaccine in the last 10 years
• adults living or working in a remote community who have not had a diphtheria vaccine in the last 5 years
• frontline workers who have not had a diphtheria vaccine in the last 5 years. You may be considered a frontline worker if your job involves regular face-to-face contact with the public, patients, clients or other people in the community. Examples include: 
  • healthcare workers
  • police force frontline workers
  • corrections staff
  • teachers and teaching support staff
  • childcare workers
  • residential aged care workers
  • paramedics
  • staff working in remote communities
  • fire and emergency services frontline workers
  • housing, local government and community development frontline workers
  • Power and Water frontline staff
  • Department of Children and Families frontline workers.

Check your vaccines are up to date

If you're not sure when you last had a diphtheria vaccine, check your immunisation history through the MyGov app or speak with your usual healthcare provider.

You can also get more information about:

• child and adolescent vaccinations
• pregnancy immunisations.

Where to get vaccinated

You can book an appointment with your:

• participating pharmacy or GP (a consultation fee may apply)
• community care centres
• remote health clinics
• Aboriginal medical services.

It is recommended you call ahead to confirm vaccine availability.

NT outbreak response vaccine clinics