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Wellbeing Resources

Flu Vaccinations – 2023

 

Adapted from the Royal Children’s Hospital Kids Health Info: 

 

The influenza vaccine is the most effective way to reduce the chance of your child becoming sick with influenza. The influenza vaccine is recommended annually for everyone aged six months and over.

If your child has a chronic medical condition, it is strongly recommended that they have an annual influenza vaccination. All household members should also be vaccinated to reduce the chances of your child being exposed to influenza. 

Because the influenza virus mutates (changes) slightly from year to year, your child will need a new and updated influenza vaccine at the beginning of each influenza season. Two doses are often required in the first year of vaccination for children aged under nine.

The flu vaccine is free for children aged six months to five years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with medical conditions (such as chronic heart or lung disease, low immunity or diabetes).

Side effects of the vaccine include pain and redness at the site of injection. Less commonly, children may develop a fever or aches and pains, which last one to two days. The vaccine cannot cause influenza as it contains inactivated (killed) influenza virus.

While the current influenza vaccines are made using small traces of egg proteins, extensive research shows influenza vaccines are safe for children with egg allergy or egg anaphylaxis.

 

Key points to remember

  • Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza.
  • Influenza is very infectious so good hygiene is important.
  • Influenza is caused by a virus so antibiotics cannot be used to treat it.
  • Contact your GP urgently if your child has influenza and becomes more unwell, or shows signs of dehydration or breathing difficulties.

Where to Get your Child Vaccinated:

 

If your child is aged 10 years or over flu vaccinations are available at your local pharmacy. 

Chemist Warehouse Echuca – Book Online - $19.99

Coburn & Reid Pharmacy – Call in Advance (03) 54 806 011, Cost $25.00

Rich River Pharmacy – Call in Advance (03) 54 823 456, Cost $25.00

Children under 10 years please contact; 

Campaspe Shire Council 1300 666 535 or call your GP to book an appointment. 

 

FLU IMMUNISATIONS CAMPASPE SHIRE

Under 5 years of age - FREE

Above 5 years of age - $30

Above 65 years of age - FREE

Anyone with at risk medical conditions - FREE

Visit Campaspe Shire Council website for session dates and times - www.campaspe.vic.gov.au

All immunisations must have an appointment scheduled. Call 1300 666 535 to book an appointment for an immunisation.

 

 

COVID update for Term 2

St Mary’s aligns its practices with Catholic Education Sandhurst which commits to advice provided by the Department of Health;

 

St Mary’s School Recommendations for positive Covid Cases for Families

  • Parents are encouraged to inform the school if your child tests positive to covid and isolate for 5 days or until symptoms subside  
  • Learning materials can be provided for the isolation period at the parents request 
  • Staff who test positive are recommended to isolate for 5 days and remain absent from school 
  • Recorded cases will no longer be shared with the wider school community
  • St Mary’s will contact families of children who present at school with symptoms or illness

A Message from our school nurse:

 

With the colder weather now upon us, many children are experiencing symptoms of the common cold and other viral infections. Whilst your child is sick/ and or infectious we ask that they stay home during the worst of their illness to allow them to recover. This ensures our teachers and community do not fall ill also. 

 

RCH Kids Health Info can provide general advice about symptoms of your child's illness and exclusion periods from school. https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/ 

School Nurses can also be contacted for any additional information 10:30-2:30, 5 days a week. If you are worried about your child please seek the advice of your GP. Another alternative to seeing your GP is an app called "Instant Consult" in which you can see a doctor using Facetime within minutes.