A note from the Sick Bay

Dear Parents/Carers, 

This is a kind reminder that Hay Fever season and symptoms of hay fever are commonly being experienced by students. If your child experiences symptoms of hay fever even mild symptoms to please consider providing them with a prophylactic antihistamine medication to aid with symptoms.

It is strongly advised by the Department of Education to minimise the need to administer medication whilst at school. Most Antihistamines are a once daily dose and can be had before school even if no symptoms are present, but your child is known to become symptomatic. This can support your child from being disrupted from their lessons during the day.

It is unsafe practice to send students to school with medication that is not labelled or instructions on administration dose and time. I ask you to please refer to Epping Views PS Medication Administration Policy on how we can support students should they need to have medication whilst at school.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation regarding this topic.

Catherine O'Brien / Iness Khalil

School Nurse / First Aid

Protecting against mosquito-borne diseases

Warm and wet weather can result in greater numbers of mosquitoes and increased risk of illnesses from mosquito bites. While the overall risk is low, some mosquitoes carry diseases that make people sick. 

The best protection against mosquito-borne illness is to avoid mosquito bites.

Families can protect against mosquito bites by: 

• covering up as much as possible with long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing  
• applying insect repellent that contains picaridin or DEET on exposed skin when leaving home 
• limiting outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are active.

Families with any health concerns should see their doctor or phone NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 606 024 (available 24 hours).

Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines 

Japanese encephalitis virus is spread to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes and can cause a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain.

Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines are available to protect Victorians at higher risk of the virus. 

The Victorian Department of Health encourages eligible people who live or work in high-risk local government areas to get vaccinated. 

For more information, including what is considered a high-risk area and eligibility for a free vaccine, refer to the Department of Health’s Japanese encephalitis webpage. 

Find out more

For more information on protecting against mosquito-borne diseases, families can refer to the following Better Health Channel pages:

• Mosquitoes can carry diseases
• Protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease, including a handy checklist to help reduce mosquito breeding sites at home and resources translated into other languages.