About the program

Year 7 and year 10 students can get free immunisations at school to protect against serious infectious diseases through the School Immunisation Program (SIP).

Immunisation is the best way to protect from diseases that can cause serious harm, long term complications and in some cases be fatal.

For more information on the uptake rates of each immunisation, see the South Australian immunisation coverage rates.

Preparation

You can access your child's Immunisation History Statement if they are less than 14 years of age by visiting the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

Students/adolescents can access their own records from age 14.

Immunisations given at school are recorded on the AIR using the individual's details registered with Medicare.

Further information is available from the Immunisation records and registers page.

School will send information on the School Immunisation Program through the usual schools’ communication systems. This should include a parent information sheet to enable you to access links for further information and inform you that hard copy consent packs will be sent home.

All students in years 7 and 10 will be given a consent pack during the first few weeks of Term 1, to take home to their parents.

The pack explains the diseases the immunisations protect against, the benefits of immunisation, and common side effects.

A consent card is included for parents/legal guardians to complete and return to the school. In South Australia, students can legally consent for themselves if they are aged 16 years or older.

Read the information carefully and complete all fields on the consent card. Remember to make sure you fill in the class name, sign and return it to the school.

It is important to return the consent card if you consent ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ to your child’s school. This will provide information to SA Health that all students have been given the opportunity to take part in the program.

Only students with a completed and signed consent card, where consent has been given, will be immunised.

If you have said YES and wish to change to NO, consent can still be withdrawn. You will need to contact the immunisation provider, not the school, before the scheduled immunisation day.

Make sure you tell your child you have withdrawn the consent.

If you have said NO and wish to change to YES, you will need to contact the school immunisation provider.

To find out the provider for your child’s school see Contact details for School Immunisation Program providers (PDF 359KB).

Yes. Giving several immunisations at a time is safe. Combination immunisations protect students against more diseases with fewer injections. This also means less pain and stress for the student.

If you consent for your child to be immunised at school, discuss this with them and let them know what immunisations will be offered.

Encourage your child to eat breakfast on the day of immunisation and to wear loose clothing or sport uniform to allow easier access to the upper arm.

No, your child does not have to be immunised at school. You can decide for your child to receive them elsewhere. The immunisations are free but you may need to pay a fee for the immunisation appointment. Immunisation is available at local council immunisation clinics, some pharmacists, or at your GP.

Please sign and return the consent card to the school indicating you do not consent for the immunisation to be given at school.

Home-schooled and correspondence school students can get the free immunisations. Information will be provided through the schools using the usual communication channels. Parents can contact their local council, GP or SA Health's Immunisation Section on 1300 232 272.

All year 10 students are eligible for a course of funded meningococcal B and ACWY immunisations.
If the student has received a previous dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine before 14 years of age, 1 further dose is required at school.

If the student has received any previous dose/s of meningococcal B vaccine before 14 years of age:

  • 1 valid dose received – 2 further doses required at school.
  • 2 valid doses received – 1 further dose required at school.

Students with some medical conditions may need extra doses. Speak to your GP or immunisation provider for more information.

Immunisation day

If your child is worried about needles, they can tell the nurse. Nurses delivering the School Immunisation Program are experienced in administering immunisations to anxious students and will talk them through what will happen.

The needle may hurt a little but immunising them will protect them from harmful immunisation preventable diseases.

If your child has questions about getting immunised at school, please speak with their teacher or immunisation provider.

Your child's class will receive their vaccines at a designated time. The nurse will ask your child some questions to make sure they are well and can safely have the immunisations.

After vaccination, students will receive a Personal Immunisation Record to take home. You are encouraged to keep this record, so you know which immunisations your child has received, what potential side effects they may have and what to do if this happens. All immunisation details given in the School Immunisation Program will also be entered onto the Australian Immunisation Register.

Your child may be medically unfit to receive the vaccine. If this happens, you will be told why, and where your child can go to get the missed immunisations.

It is important your child gets any missed immunisations as soon as possible, and while they are still eligible to receive the vaccine for free.

See more information about catching up on missed immunisations.

Afterwards

Yes. The school will provide an area close to the immunisation team where your child will be watched for at least 15 minutes after their immunisation.