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A vaccine could have saved 18-year-old Jack Klemich from the meningococcal B that cost him his life nine years ago.
For his father, Oren Klemich, the Australian government's new free vaccination program – an Australian first – is "31 million dollars brilliantly spent".
"It saves lives and it will save a lot of grief," he said on Monday. On the first day, babies and children under four had access to free vaccines.
The program will allow parents to save up to $ 500 per child and should help prevent an average of 12 cases of B meningococcal disease each year.
A program for Grade 10 students will begin in February 2019, along with a catch-up program for teens and young adults.
Health Minister Stephen Wade said there had been 382 cases of the disease in South Australia since 2000, including 14 deaths, accounting for 70% of under-21 deaths.
He said the program was designed to target the age groups most at risk of contracting the disease.
"The program is based on expert advice that recommends targeting infants, children and young adults," he said.
"The southern Australian community is very familiar with B meningococcus and we hope this will result in a very high participation rate."
Wade said the vaccines were distributed in the state and there were no shortage issues.
"We will ensure that the supplies meet the demand, because it is very important that this program is put in place and that southern Australian families benefit from maximum protection," he said.
Klemich said the program would save lives and save other families from losing a child as a result of the disease.
"We wish this vaccine was present at the time," he said.
"Our lives would be very different, as would, of course, his own, we miss him."
Vaccines for children six weeks to less than four years old are available from general practitioners, local government immunization clinics, Aboriginal health services, family and child health services, and Country Health SA.
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