Diphtheria Outbreak Response Immunisation Program

The South Australian Diphtheria Outbreak Response Immunisation Program (the Program) has been introduced in response to an increase in diphtheria cases in Aboriginal communities.

Vaccination against diphtheria is effective at preventing severe disease. Vaccines to protect against diphtheria have been safely used in our immunisation programs to protect young children, teenagers and pregnant women against diphtheria for many years.

SA Health is providing free vaccines to protect against diphtheria to the following groups:

Diphtheria (outbreak response) priority groups

Funded diphtheria-containing vaccines are available for the following priority groups:

  • All Aboriginal people 10 years and older who have not had a diphtheria-containing vaccination in the past 5 years.
  • Healthcare & frontline workers* who work in program priority areas3, as well as those who work regularly with people from these areas visiting other parts of the state if more than 5 years since their last diphtheria containing vaccination.
  • High and medium risk contacts1 of a confirmed diphtheria case who have not had a diphtheria-containing vaccination in the past 12 months.
  • Low risk contacts1 who have not had a diphtheria-containing vaccination in the past 5 years.

*Workers who have direct patient care, emergency and essential service workers (police, paramedics, first responders), education and corrections staff, community service workers with direct community contact, cleaners/staff who have regular contact with contaminated surfaces, linen and wound dressings, laboratory staff handling specimens.

For full eligibility details, refer to the South Australian Diphtheria Outbreak Immunisation Schedule (PDF 249KB).

1Contacts as identified in the:

Children, adolescents and women who are pregnant living in priority outbreak areas should be age appropriately vaccinated as per the National Immunisation Program.

Diphtheria (outbreak response) Immunisation Programs priority areas:

  • Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands
  • Oak Valley
  • Yalata
  • Ceduna (and surrounds)
  • Oodnadatta
  • Coober Pedy

National Immunisation Program (NIP) funded doses

Free diphtheria-containing vaccines are also available through the National Immunisation Program for:

  • Infants and children: 6 weeks, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months and 4 years
  • Adolescents: Year 7 (School Immunisation Program)
  • Young people: Catch-up vaccinations up to 20 years of age
  • Each pregnancy ( from 20 weeks gestation)

Where to get vaccinated

Remote program priority areas

APY Lands

Vaccination for Aboriginal individuals and their families will be available through Nganampa Health Council (NHC).

Marla Health Service

Vaccination for eligible cohorts , including health care and frontline workers entering the APY Lands will be available through the Marla Health Service during their routine clinic hours.

Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS)

RFDS will be providing vaccination services during their routine Community Health Clinics as follows:

  • Wednesday June 24 – Yalata
  • Thursday June 25 – Oodnadatta

Regional program priority areas

Vaccination for eligible cohorts are available through routine providers such as:

Metropolitan Adelaide

Vaccination will be available for eligible cohorts in metropolitan Adelaide through:

Find an immunisation service near you

Vaccinations are available through a range of providers across South Australia. Find an immunisation service near you.

Talk to your GP, pharmacist or Aboriginal Health Service for more information.

NIP funded doses

Available through routine immunisation providers.

Resources

Contact

For enquires contact the Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB):

 1300 232 272 (24 hours/7 days).