School Immunisation Program

South Australia’s School Immunisation Program provides free recommended vaccines for South Australian students. In 2023, vaccines will be offered to students in Years 7, 8 and 10, before transitioning to Year 7 and 10 from 2024.

Fully trained and qualified immunisation teams visit all high schools in South Australia to deliver the program.

Home-schooled and correspondence school students, and any students who miss their immunisations at school, can access the free immunisations through their immunisation provider or GP.

Vaccine consent packs are sent home to parents/carers early in the school year. To consent to vaccination, parents/carers are advised to read all the information provided.

It is important parents complete all fields and sign the consent form and return it to their child’s school even if not consenting for their child to receive the vaccines

Vaccines for 2023

Year 7 and 8

The immunisations provided in Year 8 are:

Why are these vaccines given in Year 7 and 8?

Protection produced by some vaccines will decline over time and booster doses may be needed to ensure high levels of protection are maintained (for example diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus). A booster dose given in high school will provide protection over a longer period of time. Vaccines such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine are more effective if delivered at a specific age.

Year 10 

The immunisations provided in Year 10 are:

Why are these vaccines given in Year 10?

Meningococcal vaccines are also recommended for students in senior high school years, due to their increased risk of meningococcal disease.

Accessing immunisation records

Copies of school immunisation records from 1996 to now can be accessed from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). If these records are incomplete, contact the School Immunisation Program provider (PDF 514KB).

Catching up on missed vaccines

If you are under 20 years of age, you can still receive missed vaccines under the School Immunisation Program for free. A catch-up program commenced in 2023 enabling people under 26 years of age who have missed their HPV vaccine to receive a free dose. See your immunisation provider or GP for further information.

Information for students

For more information on the vaccines and diseases they prevent, and videos explaining what to expect on vaccination day, see Immunisation for adolescents and Vaccination videos for high school students.

Information for parents/carers

For further information on the School Immunisation Program, see School Immunisation Program: Frequently asked questions, Immunisation for adolescents or contact your GP or immunisation provider.

Communications toolkit for schools: first dose

Resources for schools, such as newsletter content and sample SMS messaging, to help with promotion of the School Immunisation Program.

Data collection

The School Immunisation Program is committed to ensuring that all eligible students have been offered the recommended funded vaccines for adolescents.

SA Health is able to access data on the number of students that have been immunised, to measure the success of the statewide program annually.

Coverage rates

To view the School Immunisation Program coverage rates see the South Australian immunisation coverage rates.

Further information

For further information on the School Immunisation Program, see the School Immunisation Program: Frequently asked questions page or contact your GP or immunisation provider.