Topic: School Based Vaccination Program - advice for parents of special school students
Description
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends various vaccines for adolescents to protect them through to adulthood.
Coordinated by Queensland Health, the School Based Vaccination Program provides parents/guardians with the opportunity to have their children vaccinated against certain diseases through their school at no cost. The Program is offered to children of secondary school age in state and non-state schools.
The following information provides advice for parents/guardians of special school students.
Practical Advice
Because the age of a child and the year they attend at special school may differ, it is important to talk to the service provider who will be visiting your child's school or your School Based Vaccination Program Coordinator if you have any questions about what vaccination is recommended. Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) to find out who is conducting the program at your child's school.
As a guide, if your child is:
- 13 years of age - recommended vaccinations are chickenpox (one dose) and hepatitis B (two doses)
- 13 years of age and female - human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination (three doses) given over a six month period (usually at 0, 2 and 6 months) to protect against cervical cancer.
- 15 years of age - recommended vaccination is diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) (one dose)
Queensland Health encourages all eligible children attending school to be vaccinated in the School Based Vaccination Program.
Alternatively, you can have your child vaccinated by your doctor. The vaccine is free, however you may have to pay a consultation fee. You can also check if the local council or community health centre provides vaccination services.
If you plan to take your child to your doctor, you will need to advise the practice reception what vaccinations you need when you make the appointment. This allows the practice time to order vaccine.
Other Resources
For further information, see the School Based Vaccination Program website
Contact the School Based Vaccination Program Co-ordinator:
- Southern Queensland 07 5509 7222
- Central Queensland 07 3142 1800
- Northern Queensland 07 4753 9034
Contact your local Queensland Health Public Health Unit:
- Brisbane Southside 07 3000 9148
- Brisbane Northside 07 3624 1111
- Cairns 07 4050 3600
- Darling Downs 07 4631 9888
- Gold Coast 07 5509 7222
- Logan 07 3412 2989
- Mackay 07 4968 6611
- Moreton Bay 07 3142 1800
- Mount Isa 07 4744 9100
- Rockhampton 07 4920 6989
- Sunshine Coast 07 5409 6600
- Townsville 07 4753 9000
- West Moreton 07 3413 1200
- Wide Bay 07 4184 1800
Visit the Immunise Australia website at www.immunise.health.gov.au
Contact your doctor.
Contact the Immunise Australia National Infoline: 1800 671 811
Related Content
School Based Vaccination Program
School Based Vaccination Program Hepatitis B vaccination – Year 8 students
School Based Vaccination Program Varicella (chickenpox) vaccination – Year 8 students
School Based Vaccination Program diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccination – Year 10 students
School Based Vaccination Program Human Papillomavirus vaccination – Year 8 female students
Last updated: 16th September, 2010
Review Date: 31st December, 2010
