Information for parents - Year 7 (or age equivalent, 12-13 years) and Year 10 (or age equivalent) Secondary school vaccine program
The protection provided by some childhood immunisations fades over time and needs to be boosted in adolescence.
Secondary school students are at an age when a vaccine will be most effective and provides protection before possible exposure to a disease.
Victorian immunisation schedule for secondary school students
The following vaccines are routinely provided free of charge to all Victorian Year 7 and Year 10 students (or age equivalent) under the Immunise Australia Program.
| Vaccine type | Vaccine doses |
|---|---|
| Human papillomavirus (HPV) | 2 vaccines given over 6 months |
| Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (combined vaccine) | Single dose |
| Meningococcal W | Single dose |
Parental consent for immunisation
We deliver consent cards to all local secondary schools in February of each year. You must ensure that you return the consent card, even if you do not want your child to be immunised, this assists Council in assessing total immunised in our community. If you are unsure about your child’s current immunisation status, contact us.
When a school vaccine is missed
If your child missed out on their school immunisation session, or you want to be there to support your child during immunisation, you can bring your child to any of our public immunisation sessions, or a doctor to receive the missed vaccine.
This should be done as soon as possible to be eligible to receive the vaccine for free. If the missed dose is part of a course of vaccines and is given soon after the missed school session, the rest of the course can often be finished as part of the school-based program.
Some vaccines may need to be ordered in advance, so let your doctor know which immunisation you want when you arrange the appointment. Although the vaccines themselves are free, your doctor may charge a consultation fee.
Access immunisation fact sheets in languages other than English.
Types of vaccines
Human papilloma virus (HPV)
The Australian Government announced that the new HPV vaccine Gardasil 9 will be added to the National Immunisation Program this year.
The vaccine will be offered to all Year 7 students (or age equivalent, 12-13 years) and will replace the current vaccine. It will be administered in two doses (instead of three) over six months.
Gardasil 9 will provide fully vaccinated females with protection against 90% of cervical cancers by protecting them against all the HPV strains in the current vaccine, as well as the five most common HPV types associated with cervical cancer in the new vaccine.
It will also continue to provide males and females protection against less common HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
Don't let your child miss out on this important vaccine. Complete their consent card and return to the school on time.
For more information about this disease, visit the HPV Vaccine website.
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough)
Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough is part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule. The primary course of vaccination is at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A booster dose is given at 4 years of age and the second booster is required in adolescene to ensure ongoing protection.
Meningococcal W
Meningococcal W vaccine will continue to be offered to Year 10 students (or age equivalent) this year.
Meningococcal bacteria are passed from person to person by regular, close, prolonged household and intimate contact. In recent years the prevalence of the W strain – one of the six main meningococcal strains – has increased significantly across Australia, with Victoria experiencing 48 cases in 2016, compared to 17 cases in 2015, four in 2014 and just one in 2013.
Information for young people
Immunisation is very important because it protects you from getting serious and preventable diseases.
If you are worried about receiving an injection, check out this short video for some tips to help you know what to expect on the day of vaccination.
Translated fact sheets can be downloaded.