Children up to the age of 6 will no longer be able to attend early learning services if they have not been fully vaccinated, as part of the state government’s ‘no jab no play’ policy.
This change comes into effect for most children from 7 August 2020. However, for children in care it will come into effect from 18 September 2020.
Immunisation is a simple and effective way of protecting children from serious diseases. It not only helps protect individuals, it also protects the broader community by minimising the spread of disease.
What do I need to do?
Please check that the child or young person in your care is up-to-date with their immunisations. If you are unsure, check with their case worker.
As outlined in Who Can Say OK?, case workers are responsible for making sure a child or young person is up-to-date with all immunisations. As a carer, you can arrange vaccines for children in your care, but you must let their case worker know so it can be noted on the child or young person’s case record.
What happens for children entering care?
When children first enter care it can take some time to access their records, or they may require ‘catch up’ immunisations. It is important that these children can still access early childhood services, which can help to support you and the child in your care to adjust to the new placement.
Acknowledging this, we have secured a time limited exemption, or ‘grace period’, for children entering care.
If a child coming into care is not up-to-date with their immunisations, or if the department doesn’t yet have an immunisation record, the child will still be able to access early childhood services for up to 6 weeks. This gives case workers time to access the child’s immunisation records and work with you to coordinate any ‘catch up’ vaccinations that are needed.
This exemption is listed on the SA Health website (look under the heading "What are the South Australian Chief Public Health Officer exemptions").
What immunisations do children in care need?
Children and young people in care must receive all immunisations required in the National Immunisation Program (South Australia Schedule) and the Annual Funded Influenza Program at the recommended times. These schedules tell you what immunisations children should receive depending on their age, ranging from babies to adolescence and adulthood.
Some children and young people may be exempt from needing certain immunisations, for example if they have a medical condition that makes it dangerous for them.
What counts as an ‘early childhood service’?
The ‘no jab no play’ policy applies to a range of services including:
- childcare
- family day care
- preschool
- kindergarten
- early learning centres.