Children in Care, Immunisation

909 Ms STINSON (Badcoe) (18 June 2019). Have any foster carers or kindship carers declined to have children or young people in their care vaccinated, as per the National Immunisation Program, on conscientious grounds since 18 March, 2018? And in these instances:

(a) How many children or young people in foster care or kinship care have not been vaccinated as per the National Immunisation Program?

(b) What subsequent actions, if any, has the Department for Child Protection taken to ensuring these children and young people in foster or kinship care are protected against vaccine preventable disease?

The Hon. R. SANDERSON (Adelaide—Minister for Child Protection): I have been advised:

It is the expectation of the department that all children and young people under the guardianship of the Chief Executive receive all immunisations as recommended by the National Immunisation Program (South Australia Schedule) within the recommended timeframes.

Whilst a carer can provide consent for immunisations, DCP case workers and case managers work with carers to support compliance with the National Immunisation Program and SA Health guidelines. This includes immunisation through school programs and vaccines required for travel, training or employment.