Childhood Immunisation Program

The Childhood Immunisation Program forms part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which provides free vaccines to children eligible for a Medicare card.

The free vaccines available on the South Australian vaccine schedule provide protection for many diseases by the time a child is four years of age.

While these vaccines are free for eligible people, some immunisation providers may charge a consultation or service fee. Please discuss this with your immunisation provider when booking your immunisation appointment.

Vaccines included under the program

The National Immunisation Program Schedule for South Australia (PDF 59KB) shows the age and the vaccines that children should receive by the time they are four years of age.

Meningococcal B vaccines are free for all South Australian children at 2, 4 and 12 months of age in addition to the other National Immunisation Program vaccines due to an increased incidence of Meningococcal B disease in South Australia.

All children aged 6 months to less than 5 years of age, and Aboriginal children from 6 months of age, are eligible to receive free flu vaccines as part of the Annual Funded Childhood Influenza Program. See the Influenza Program page for more information.

Children may also be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. See COVID-19 vaccines for children for more information.

Some of the vaccines on the National Immunisation Program may be given as combination vaccines, for example, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib and hepatitis B are given as a combination vaccine, Infanrix® hexa or Vaxelis, at 6 weeks, 4 months and 6 months.

Aboriginal children are recommended to receive additional vaccines. See Aboriginal immunisation recommendations. 

Children with specific medical at risk (MAR) conditions are also recommended to receive additional vaccines. See Medical at risk immunisation requirements.

For information on RSV immunisation see RSV Maternal and Infant Protection Program.

Accessing the vaccines

All vaccines under the Childhood Immunisation Program are available through your doctor, some community health centres or local council immunisation clinics. See the Immunisation services page for more information.

Missed vaccines

Have you missed any of your Childhood Immunisation Program or adolescent vaccines? If you have and are under 20 years of age (or under 26 years of age for the HPV vaccine), you can receive most missed vaccines for free. See your immunisation provider or doctor for further information.

Further information

For further information on the Childhood Immunisation Program contact your doctor or immunisation provider or visit: