Topic: School Based Vaccination Program
Description
Coordinated by Queensland Health, the School Based Vaccination Program provides parents with the opportunity to have their children vaccinated through their school. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends various vaccines for children of secondary school age to protect them through to adulthood. The Program operates in all state and non state schools.
Practical Advice
Each year, Queensland Health will offer the following vaccines to all Year 8 and 10 students.
Year 8 students
- Hepatitis B
two doses of vaccine given four to six months apart - Chickenpox
one dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine - Human papillomavirus (cervical cancer)
three doses of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for femail students given at approximately 0, 2 and 6 months
Year 10 students
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough)
one booster dose of adult/adolescent diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) vaccine.
School vaccination clinic
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 to not have your child vaccinated in the school program, please still fill out the student's details and 'no' consent section of the form and return it to the school. This will help us know who is already protected and ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in the program.
After their vaccination, students will receive a record to take home. You are encouraged to keep this record so you know what vaccines your child has received.
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.
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 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 observed 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.
The vaccines
How is the vaccine given?
All injections are given in the arm.
Should I give my child a dose of paracetamol before going to school on the day of vaccination?
No. This is not necessary. The routine use of paracetamol is no longer recommended before vaccination, due to the use of better vaccines with fewer side effects.
It is recommended that children have breakfast on the day of vaccination.
How should I care for my child after vaccination?
- For redness or swelling at the injection site, apply a cold compress.
- To lower temperature or relieve discomfort, paracetamol may be given.
- If fever persists, consult your doctor.
- If any reaction occurs that you consider serious or unexpected, seek medical advice. In the case of emergency, dial 000.
- Contact the service provider if your child has a reaction following the vaccination.
Are there more side effects from giving more than one vaccine at the same time? For example, if hepatitis B vaccine is given at the same time as HPV vaccine?
No. Parents can be reassured that having more than one vaccine at the same time is unlikely to increase the risk of side effects when they are given at the same visit, and that giving a number of vaccines at the same visit does not "overload" the immune system.
Whether more than one vaccine is given at the same visit will be up to the service provider and how they schedule their visits to the school.
What should I do if my child has a reaction following vaccination?
You should report the reaction to the immunisation provider who gave your child the vaccination, eg. the school program provider or your doctor.
You should also note the reaction on the pre-vaccination checklist on the consent form for any other vaccinations your child may be offered through the school program.
Eligibility
What if my child can't be vaccinated at school or misses the school program?
If your child can't be vaccinated at school:
- they can attend a catch-up session if offered by the same service provider in the same calendar year (ask service provider for details)
- you can take your child to your doctor, however be aware that you may have to pay a consultation fee. You need to have your child vaccinated in the same calendar year that the vaccine was offered in the school program.
If you plan to take your child to your doctor, you will need to advise the practice reception what vaccination you need when you call for an appointment. This allows the practice time to order vaccine.
What if my child wasn't vaccinated in the same calendar year that the vaccine was offered free in the school program, but I would still like them to be immunised?
If your child is not vaccinated in the same calendar year they are in Year 8 (for hepatitis B, chickenpox and human papillomavirus vaccine) or Year 10 (for diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough), they are not eligible for free vaccine.
You can purchase the vaccine with a prescription and have your child vaccinated by your doctor.
However, if your child received one free dose of hepatitis B vaccine when they were in Year 8, the second dose of vaccine is available free from your doctor until 31 December of the following year. Be aware that you may have to pay a consultation fee.
If the course of 2 doses of hepatitis B adult vaccine is not completed in this period the remaining dose of vaccine will need to be purchased with private prescription.
If both doses of hepatitis B vaccination were missed when it was offered in the school program, you can purchase the vaccine with a prescription and have your child vaccinated by your doctor.
HPV vaccine will be available for catch-up from your doctor until 31 December 2009.
You are strongly encouraged to have your child vaccinated in the year the vaccine is offered in the school program.
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 +61 7 5509 7222
- Central Queensland +61 7 3142 1800
- Northern Queensland +61 7 4753 9034
Contact your local Queensland Health Population Health Unit:
- Brisbane Southside +61 7 3000 9148
- Brisbane Northside +61 7 3624 1111
- Moreton Bay Office +61 7 3142 1800
- Cairns +61 7 4050 3600
- Darling Downs +61 7 4631 9888
- Gold Coast +61 7 5509 7222
- Mackay +61 7 4968 6611
- Mount Isa +61 7 4744 4846
- Rockhampton +61 7 4920 6989
- Sunshine Coast +61 7 5409 6600
- Townsville +61 7 4753 9000
- Wide Bay +61 7 4120 6000
Visit the Immunise Australia website and/or the National HPV Vaccination Program website.
Contact your doctor.
Contact the Immunise Australia National Infoline: 1800 671 811
Related Content
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 Hepatitis B vaccination - Advice for parents of special school students
School Based Vaccination Program Hepatitis B vaccination - Advice for parents who home school
Last updated: 1st May, 2009
Review Date: 3rd March, 2010
