School-based vaccination

Immunisation is a proven and safe way to be protected against diseases that cause serious illness and sometimes death.

Vaccination at school

We visit all secondary schools in our community to give immunisations to students in year 7 and year 10.

If your child missed on out their Year 7 or Year 10 vaccinations, you can still catch up by making an appointment at one of our public sesssions.

Information for parents - Year 7 (or age equivalent, 12-13 years) and Year 10 (or age equivalent) Secondary school vaccine program

The protection provided by some childhood immunisations fades over time and needs to be boosted in adolescence.

Secondary school students are at an age when a vaccine will be most effective and provides protection before possible exposure to a disease.

Victorian immunisation schedule for secondary school students

The following vaccines are routinely provided free of charge to all Victorian Year 7 and Year 10 students (or age equivalent) under the Immunise Australia Program.

Vaccine type	Vaccine doses
Human papillomavirus (HPV)	Single dose
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (combined vaccine)	Single dose
Meningococcal W	Single dose

Parental consent for immunisation

We deliver consent cards to all local secondary schools in February or March of each year. You must ensure that you return the consent card, even if you do not want your child to be immunised, this assists Council in assessing total immunised in our community. If you are unsure about your child’s current immunisation status, contact us.

When a school vaccine is missed

If your child missed out on their school immunisation session, or you want to be there to support your child during immunisation, you can bring your child to any of our public immunisation sessions, or a doctor to receive the missed vaccine.

Some vaccines may need to be ordered in advance, so let your doctor know which immunisation you want when you arrange the appointment. Although the vaccines themselves are free, your doctor may charge a consultation fee.

Access immunisation fact sheets in languages other than English.

Types of vaccines

Human papilloma virus (HPV)

Gardasil 9 is offered to all Year 7 students (or age equivalent, 12-13 years).

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil®9 dosing schedule has changed from two doses of vaccine to a single dose for most people.

The age of eligibility for free catch-up vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) has increased from 19 to 25 years of age.

Why has it changed?

The change is based on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) who have considered the large volume of international clinical evidence that supports a single dose providing comparable protection as two doses.

Gardasil 9 will provide fully vaccinated females with protection against 90% of cervical cancers by protecting them against all the HPV strains in the current vaccine, as well as the five most common HPV types associated with cervical cancer in the new vaccine.

It will also continue to provide males and females protection against less common HPV-related cancers and genital warts.

Don't let your child miss out on this important vaccine. Complete their consent card and return to the school on time.

For more information about this disease, visit the HPV Vaccine website.

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough)

Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough is part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule. The primary course of vaccination is at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A booster dose is given at 4 years of age and the second booster is required in adolescence to ensure ongoing protection.

Meningococcal W

Meningococcal W vaccine is offered to Year 10 students (or age equivalent) this year.

Meningococcal bacteria are passed from person to person by regular, close, prolonged household and intimate contact. In recent years the prevalence of the W strain – one of the six main meningococcal strains – has increased significantly across Australia, with Victoria experiencing 48 cases in 2016, compared to 17 cases in 2015, four in 2014 and just one in 2013.

For more information about Meningococcal W visit, Meningococcal ACWY vaccine for teens | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care