Year 10 students can get free immunisations at school to protect against meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal disease can cause serious illness, permanent complications, such as limb deformity or amputation, skin scarring, deafness, or even death. Immunisations are the safest and most effective way to prevent it.

Free meningococcal immunisations are offered in year 10 as this age group has a higher risk of meningococcal infection.

Students will only be immunised if a completed consent form is returned to the school and consent is provided.

Consent form

Schools send year 10 immunisation consent packs to parents. When you get the pack, read the information and speak with your child about immunisation. Then fill in the consent form, sign it and return it to the school as soon as you can.

If you did not receive a consent pack, you can download a copy of the

Read the information and speak with your child about immunisation, before you fill in and return the consent form.

In South Australia, students aged 16 years and over can sign their own consent form.
It is important that the consent form is completed and returned to the school, even if you DO NOT consent.

About the vaccines offered in year 10

Year 10 students are offered two free immunisations under the School Immunisation Program:

Meningococcal B vaccine

Two doses of the immunisation (given 8 weeks between each vaccine) protect against most types of meningococcal B in Australia.

Since the introduction of the meningococcal B immunisation program in South Australia in 2019, the number of cases of invasive Meningococcal B disease, a severe and life-threatening condition, has more than halved.

If both doses are given, the meningococcal B immunisation can increase protection in young people by over 80%.

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine

One dose of the immunisation protects against the A, C, W and Y strains of meningococcal disease. Since the introduction of the immunisation, the overall incidence of the disease has declined.

About Meningococcal

Meningococcal disease is a very serious infection. It spreads through close contact, such as kissing or sharing drinks, or by living closely with others. People can carry the bacteria in their throat without knowing and can pass it on without feeling sick.

Meningococcal infection can cause swelling of the brain and spinal cord, infection in the blood, loss of limbs, limb deformity, hearing and sight problems and, in some cases, can cause death.

There are different types of meningococcal infection. In Australia, meningococcal B is the most common type, while A, C, W and Y strains also occur and can cause the same severe illness.

High school students are at a high risk of getting a meningococcal infection and spreading the disease because they spend a lot of time close together.

Healthy children who have received meningococcal ACWY or B immunisations in the past should receive another immunisation dose after they turn 14 years of age. This will increase their level of protection against meningococcal infection during the higher risk years of early adulthood.

Safety

The meningococcal B and meningococcal ACWY vaccines are safe, tested and used in Australia and around the world.

These immunisations do not contain a live virus. You cannot get the disease from the immunisation.
It is safe to have the meningococcal ACWY immunisation and the meningococcal B immunisation at the same time.

Side effects

Most side effects are mild and only last a few days. Students who have been immunised may have a sore arm, headache, feel tired, get a mild fever or feel unwell. If these side effects are experienced, this is considered to be common and expected.

Serious reactions are rare.

If you are worried about side effects, speak to:

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

All unexpected side effects should be reported to your doctor, immunisation provider or directly to the Immunisation Section at SA Health on 1300 232 272 (Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm).

What year 10 students can expect on vaccination days

A trained immunisation provider will visit the school. During the first visit, students will receive one dose of the meningococcal B and one dose of the meningococcal ACWY immunisation. During the second visit, at least 8 weeks later, students will receive another dose of the meningococcal B immunisation.

Year 10 students should eat breakfast, wear a short-sleeved shirt and bring a water bottle.

If you have provided consent for your child to be immunised at school and your child is not at school on immunisation day, the immunisation provider will contact you for follow up. Missed immunisations are also available at your local council immunisation clinic, GP or participating pharmacy.

See a video resource that explains what students can expect when getting their meningococcal ACWY vaccination at school.

For more information on how to prepare, what happens on the vaccination day, and what to expect afterwards visit the FAQs.

Further information

For further information on the School Immunisation Program contact your, local council immunisation clinic, GP or immunisation provider.