Immunisation is one of the most effective and cost-efficient public health interventions. The success of the School Immunisation Program (SIP) in South Australia remains a priority in the National Immunisation Strategy.

Vaccinations are free and administered by fully trained, qualified nurses across all high schools in South Australia.

The success of the SIP has led to:

• improved access to immunisation services for South Australian students
• high vaccine coverage rates
• a reduction in disease incidence
• the continued delivery of a high-quality immunisation service.

The South Australian Department for Education and the Department for Health and Wellbeing have a formal agreement with joint responsibilities for the support and provision of the SIP.

Appointed SIP school contact

The SIP school contact enables the delivery and support of immunisation services in a safe and effective way. They act as a liaison between the SIP provider, school staff and students.

The education school checklist (DOCX 101 KB) includes the activities that promote and assist the coordination of the SIP.

The communications toolkit for schools (PDF 357 KB) can help the school to communicate with parents as well as provide resources to promote the program.

Adolescent vaccination program

In South Australia, adolescent vaccination is delivered in high school based programs.

All year 7 students will be offered:

• 1 dose of the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV), Gardasil®9
• 1 dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough vaccine  Adacel®/Boostrix®.

All year 10 students will be offered:

• 2 doses of the meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero® at 2 separate visits
• 1 dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine, Nimenrix®

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive free vaccines under the SIP, students must be enrolled in years 7 or 10.

Home-schooled children are also eligible to receive the free recommended vaccines.

Missed vaccinations

If students are under 20 years of age and miss their SIP vaccinations, they can receive any missed vaccines for free.

People under 26 years of age who miss their HPV vaccination can receive this vaccine for free.

For more information visit SA Health School Immunisation program or contact your immunisation provider or SA Health Immunisation on 1300 232 272.

SIP records

The SIP provider submits annual data to SA Health on the number of students immunised. SA Health uses this to measure the success of the statewide immunisation program.

If you would like a copy of a student’s school immunisation record, contact your Immunisation Provider or the Australian Immunisation Register.