Topic: School Based Vaccination Program - the school clinic
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 the school immunisation clinic.
Practical Advice
How does the School Based Vaccination Program operate?
A fully qualified vaccination team will visit your child's school to offer the free vaccinations. The team may be from Queensland Health, your local Council or another health provider contracted by Queensland Health.
You will be advised of the date of the visit in advance and given a consent form for each type of vaccination. The information in the consent form provides details about the disease, benefits of immunisation and any common side effects of the vaccine.
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 have your child vaccinated in the school program, you are asked to complete the student's details and ttick the 'No' consent 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.
At the time of vaccination, your child will be asked a series of standard pre-vaccination questions. Developed by the NHMRC, these questions ask whether the student is medically well, has any severe allergies or is pregnant. The questions are important to ensure that vaccines can be safely given. After their vaccination, students will receive a Record of Vaccination to take home. You are encouraged to keep this record so you know which vaccines your child has received.
Who will vaccinate my child at school?
Your child will be vaccinated by a trained and qualified immunisation nurse. In some instances, a doctor may provide the vaccination.
What should I do if my child is unwell on the day of vaccination?
As with all vaccines, administration of the vaccination should be postponed in children who have a high fever on the day of vaccination. If your child is at school and feels unwell, the vaccination team will determine whether they are well enough to be vaccinated.
Will my child be supervised after the vaccination?
Yes. The school will provide an area close to the vaccination team where your child will be observed for a period of at least 15 minutes.
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 – eligibility
School Based Vaccination Program – the vaccines
School Based Vaccination Program – missed vaccinations
School Based Vaccination Program – consent forms
Last updated: 14th September, 2010
Review Date: 31st December, 2010
