Topic: School Based Vaccination Program - consent forms
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 on consent forms.
Practical Advice
About consent
To participate in the School Based Vaccination Program, consent must be obtained before a student can be vaccinated in the program.
In 2010, consent forms are available for Year 8 hepatitis B and chickenpox immunisation, Year 10 diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) immunisation, and for female students in Year 8, human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation.
For consent to be valid the consent must be:
- be given freely and voluntarily;
- be for the specific procedure (vaccination) to be performed;
- be given by a person with capacity to give consent.
In addition, the person giving consent must have sufficient information about the vaccination, including its risks and benefits, to enable them to make an informed decision.
If, after reading the information in the consent form, you feel that you do not have enough information to make a fully informed decision about whether to give consent you should seek further information from 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), your doctor, the Queensland Health website or the Immunise Australia website.
Is vaccination compulsory in the School Based Vaccination Program?
No. The decision to be vaccinated is one made by the student and/or their parent/guardian. Only those students with a completed and signed consent form on the day of the school clinic will be vaccinated. However, all parents/guardians and students are asked to read all of the information and return the consent form, ticking either 'yes' or 'no', so we can ensure all students have been given the opportunity to participate in the program.
How do I get a consent form?
You will be advised of the date of the school visit in advance and given a consent form for each type of vaccination. This will usually be handed to your child in class and asked to be taken home and given to their parent/guardian, just like other school notes. Some immunisation providers may mail the consent form directly to you.
About the consent form
The information in the consent form provides details about the disease, benefits of immunisation and any common side effects of the vaccine.
When completing the form, please ensure that you fill in all sections. Tick either the "Yes" or "No" box and sign on the line next to the box. You also need to complete your child's details in the Record of Vaccination section.
Once you have read the information and signed the consent form indicating whether you wish your child to be vaccinated, the form should be returned to the school. Only students with a completed and signed consent form will be vaccinated.
If you are choosing not to have your child vaccinated in the school program, you are asked to complete the student's details and tick the "No" section of the consent form and return it to the school. This will help us know who is already protected and ensure that all students have been given the opportunity to participate in the program.
After their vaccination, students will receive a completed Record of Vacination to take home. You are encouraged to keep this record so you know which vaccines your child has received.
Where do I send the consent form after I have filled it in?
First check that you have completed all required sections. The form usually goes back with your child to school and they hand it to their teacher. You can also leave the consent form at the school office. The immunisation provider will let you know if there is any alternate way to return the consent form. If you are unsure, contact the immunisation provider for your child's school.
I cannot find the consent form brought home from school. How do I get another one?
You can contact your child's school or download a copy from the School Based Vaccination Program website.
What if I wish to withdraw consent for my child to be vaccinated at school?
You may withdraw consent at any stage by contacting the service provider in writing.
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 – the school clinic
Last updated: 16th September, 2010
Review Date: 31st December, 2010
