Secondary School Immunisations
The Public Health Unit visits secondary schools in the Baw Baw Shire throughout the year to administer the vaccines included in the National Immunisation Program Schedule.
Consent cards for each vaccine are provided in parent information packs to parents of school children to complete. Cards are returned to the school..
Students that receive a vaccination on the day of our visit are given a record sheet to take home. If a student who is due to receive a vaccine is absent on the day of our visit a text message is sent to notify parents. Parents then have the option of taking their children to one of Council’s public immunisation sessions or to their local GP. This should be done as soon as possible after receiving the letter so that vaccines can be given within the recommended time.
The secondary school immunisation program will include the following vaccinations:
- Gardasil vaccine (for human papillomavirus) and Boostrix vaccine (for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough): one dose for Year 7 male and female students (12-13 years old).
- Meningococcal ACWY: for years 10 male and female students.
Secondary school immunisations are usually provided to students in Year 7 and Year 10. Due to interruptions to school-based learning in 2020 and 2021, and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, some students may have missed getting important vaccines at school.
If your child missed out on their school-based vaccinations last year, speak to your school, GP or through Baw Baw Immunisation service to find out about how they can catch up.
To see if your child is due for any vaccines, check your child’s immunisation history statement on the Australian Immunisation Register using your MyGov account.