The Immunisation Section is aware that the 'Criteria for use of government vaccine' pertaining to international students and their families may require clarification.

In Victoria international students and their accompanying family members are not eligible for vaccines funded through the National Immunisation Program.

The following points explain information provided in the 'Criteria' resource and clarifies eligibility for government funded vaccines. (Refer here for DoH letter to Institutions)

Eligible people:

• Residents of Australia: Eligible for free vaccine if they meet at least one of the following criteria (documentation does not need to be sighted)

1. Hold a Medicare card or be eligible to hold a Medicare card
2. Hold Australian citizenship 
3. Hold a permanent visa or have applied for permanent visa 

• Refugees/Asylum Seekers: Eligible for free age appropriate scheduled vaccines and catch-up vaccines, as indicated by those highlighted with shading in the criteria table.

The 'Criteria' can be downloaded from: http://health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/general/criteria-for-use-of-government-vaccine

The following ineligible people do not meet the 'Criteria' and will need to purchase vaccines on prescription. Government supplied vaccine is not for sale under any circumstances:

• International students and their families
• Tourists
• Work or other temporary visa holders
• ‘Reciprocal’ Medicare card holders: This yellow card provides free emergency care only. The Commonwealth Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with the governments of the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Malta, Italy, Ireland and New Zealand for a range of services and treatments. Routine vaccines are not covered under these Agreements.

The Immunisation Section is currently mailing out the attached letter to tertiary institutions with international student enrolment.

We greatly appreciate your immunisation service adhering to the eligibility criteria. To access vaccines ineligible people will need to attend a GP for a prescription.