Secondary School Vaccinations in 2023

The Secondary School Vaccine Program offers free vaccines to Year 7 and 10 students. These vaccines are provided for:

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) – one dose for year 7 students
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – two doses for year 7 students
Meningococcal ACWY – one dose for year 10 students

Parents and carers of year 7 and 10 students please be aware that the vaccine consent card booklet will be brought home from school by your child. Parents need to read the information, complete the card and return this card to school regardless of whether your child is being vaccinated at school or not.

The City of Whitehorse immunisation service may contact you about the Secondary School Vaccine Program. Schools are authorised to provide basic parent and carer contact details to local councils for this purpose. Please contact Mullauna’s school office by 31 March 2023 if you do not want your contact details given to the City of Whitehorse immunisation service.

To learn more about the Secondary School Vaccine Program, the vaccines, the diseases they immunise against, or how you can prepare your child for vaccination, go to betterhealth.vic.gov.au.

Additionally, the Commonwealth government is funding vaccinations for all children under 20 years of age who missed any scheduled vaccines. This included a catch up program for Meningococcal ACWY vaccine for adolescents aged 15-19 years of age, who have not already received the vaccine in school. If students have missed vaccines, either in childhood or adolescence, and require catch-up vaccines, they or their family should speak with their immunisation provider. (i.e. their local council or family GP).

FIRST AID

Please do not send your son or daughter to school if they are unwell. Schools are places where cross infection happens very easily. If your child has symptoms of a cold or stomach upset then they will be passing their illness on to other students and staff.

In cases where a student reports that they have vomited and/or is suffering from diarrhoea, it is a recommendation of the Department of Health that students are sent home immediately and excluded from school for 48 hours after all symptoms have stopped.

The sick bay is a facility that is not staffed full time. Sick bay is provided to temporarily care for students who are injured. Students who are unwell, are seated in the main reception and monitored until a nominated adult can come and collect them. Please ensure that your contact details and emergency contacts are up to date so that if the school is required to make contact with you to pick up your child/ren, this can be done with maximum efficiency. Your understanding in this matter will benefit your own child as well as the rest of the college community.

STUDENTS WITH ANAPHYLAXIS

Anaphylaxis is a serious health issue. Parents are asked to assist the college staff by supplying an EpiPen that is in-date together with a current Anaphylaxis Plan.

If students are going off-campus e.g. school sports, camps or excursions, and do not have a spare EpiPen in their bags, they must collect their EpiPen or medication from the general office and return it at the conclusion of the day.

It is required that your medical practitioner reviews Action Plans annually and the updated Action Plan is supplied to Mullauna College.

ASTHMA

Asthma is a serious health issue. Parents are asked to assist the college staff by supplying an up to date Asthma Plan – it is a requirement that this is signed off by your medical practitioner. Recommended that you also supply a Ventolin that is in date and spacer. Both should be carried by your child daily.

If students are going off-campus e.g. school sports, camps or excursions, and do not have their Ventolin and spacer, there will be a school Ventolin and disposable spacers in first aid kits carried by staff on the day.

It is required that your medical practitioner reviews Action Plans annually and the updated Action Plan is supplied to Mullauna College.

ALLERGIES

Known food and environmental related allergies may occur while your child is at school. It recommended that you provide the school with an Allergy Action Plan that has been signed off by a medical practitioner and the appropriate medication is supplied.

Upon supply of the appropriate medication, please ensure that it is in its original unopened packaging to the General Office. The medication will be stored in a clearly labelled tub with your child’s name and photo, along with the completed form, the medication will be administered as per the Action Plan.

It is required that your medical practitioner reviews Action Plans annually and the updated Action Plan is supplied to Mullauna College.

OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS

If your child develops a medical condition that requires medication or monitoring during school hours, please notify the school as soon as practicable.

It is required that your medical practitioner reviews Action Plans annually and the updated Action Plan is supplied to Mullauna College.

OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS

This includes all Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, ointments and hay fever relief medications.

Parents need to be aware that staff are not permitted to administer any over the counter medications to students under any circumstance. Consequently the following procedures have been put into place:

Upon coming to the general office the student will be asked to sit quietly for 10-15 minutes and will be given a glass of water.
If they appear to be feeling better they will be sent back to class.
If no apparent improvement is observed then parents will always be rung to collect the student from school.

If your child needs regular over the counter medication, parents and carers are required to complete a Medical Authority form, supply the appropriate medication in its original, unopened packaging to the General Office. The medication will be stored in a clearly labelled tub with your child’s name and photo, along with the completed form, the medication will be administered as per your written instructions.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

In the event that your child requires prescription medication which is to be taken during school hours or whilst on a school camp, parents and carers are required to complete a Medical Authority form, supply the appropriate medication in its original packaging. The prescription label must be clearly visible for the staff to read. It is Department of Education policy that the packaged medication is not tampered with before it is received by the school. Therefore, please do not pre-cut blister packs or pour liquid medication into other containers because this medication cannot be administered to your child.

The medication will be stored in a clearly labelled tub with your child’s name and photo, along with the completed form. The medication will be administered as per the prescription label and/or the Medical Authority Form that has been signed by you as parent and the treating Medical Practitioner.

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