School Immunisation Program
Ongoing Year 7 immunisation program
In 2009, hepatitis B, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and varicella (chickenpox) vaccinations are being offered free of charge to all students at school in Year 7. The vaccinations will be provided by community health nurses and some local councils. They will need to visit your school on three occasions throughout the 2009 school year to provide the immunisations. These vaccinations provided through school programs are no longer available at GP surgeries. They will only be available through the school program or at local council and community health clinics.
Consent forms including information on each vaccine will be sent home to parents to obtain consent for their child to be vaccinated at school. Only students whose parents have given consent for their vaccination at school will be vaccinated at school. Parents who do not want their child vaccinated at school can get vaccinated at the Central Immunisation Clinic, Rheola Street, West Perth, their local immunisation clinic or at local council and community health clinics.
One dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (Boostrix), one dose of varicella vaccine and two doses of the hepatitis B vaccine are recommended for this age group. These vaccinations are given during three visits to your child’s school. The first hepatitis B vaccine is given at the first visit. The varicella is given on the second visit and the second hepatitis B vaccine and the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine are given about four months later, at the third visit.
The school will notify you before each vaccination visit. On each visit, your child will be given a record of the vaccinations and advice for care after vaccination.
For more information on school base programs contact your school nurse, local government authority, community health clinic or your Public Health Unit.
If you require factsheets on any of the above information, please contact the HealthInfo line on 1300 135 030 or access the Health Department’s online ordering (External link) system.
School Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination Program
In 2009, HPV vaccinations are being offered free of charge to all female students in Year 7. This vaccine is given to female students only with the other school based vaccines, as discussed above. It is given over three visits as 3 vaccinations are required to complete the course.
HPV is the name for a group of viruses that cause skin warts, genital warts and some cancers, including cervical cancer.
The vaccinations will be provided through schools. Children who are not vaccinated at school can be vaccinated by their GP (as of July) or at their local immunisation clinic.
The following documents are available:
Further information:
