Immunisations

The Secondary School Immunisation Program offers free vaccines to all eligible Year 7 and Year 10 students.

Year 7 students   

• Diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough (pertussis) - single injection 
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) – two injections, spaced a minimum of six months apart

Year 10 students

• Meningococcal ACWY – single injection

The local council immunisation service delivers the school-based immunisation program. 

The local council will provide immunisation consent forms to your child’s school for your child to bring home. Parents/guardians are required to complete and return the immunisation consent forms to their child’s school. The Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 authorises secondary schools to provide their local council with student and parent/guardian contact information for any student scheduled to receive a vaccination. This information is only used to assist local councils to follow-up parents/guardians of students with incomplete or missing immunisation consent forms.

What information is given to local council?

The school provides the following basic student and parent/guardian contact information to the local council immunisation service:

• student name
• date of birth
• gender
• year level and class group
• parent/guardian contact details
• language(s) spoken at home.

Why does the school provide this information?

• To improve communication with parents/guardians regarding their child’s vaccination needs.
• To ensure all eligible students are offered the opportunity to access free vaccinations at school.
• To reduce the administrative burden on school staff to follow-up consent forms.
• To eliminate manual data entry processes.

What do I need to do?

1. Each student was given a consent form in Wednesday's Homeroom. Please read the information provided in your child’s consent form and complete all sections.
2. Return the immunisation consent form with all relevant fields completed to school by the 10th of February, even if you choose not to consent for your child to be vaccinated as part of the secondary school immunisation program.
3. Your information will be provided to Wangaratta Council immunisation service in February. If you do not wish for your details to be provided, please advise the school in writing before the 10th of February 2023.

Every day vaccination saves lives and makes it possible for Victorians to live free from the illness and disability caused by many infectious diseases.

For further information please go to the following links: 

• Privacy - Schools' privacy policy (education.vic.gov.au) 

• https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/immunisation-in-secondary- schools