2016 SCHOOL IMMUNISATION PROGRAM
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS/LEGAL GUARDIANS
As part of Queensland Health’s 2016 School
Immunisation Program, every Year 7 and Year 8
student will be offered free vaccinations as
recommended in the National Immunisation Program
as follows:
1.
A vaccine against Human Papillomavirus
(HPV). This virus has been identified as important
in a range of cancers and other conditions. As
well as causing many genital cancers the virus is a
major cause of mouth and throat cancers which
are on the increase in recent years. It can also
cause tumours in the air passages to the lungs.
2.
A combined booster vaccine against three
organisms including Whooping Cough (pertussis),
Diptheria and Tetanus. Vaccines given against
pertussis in childhood do not provide lifelong
protection. Infection in adolescents and adults is
common leading to a prolonged illness (the 100
day cough disease). Infected persons can also
pass disease on to vulnerable children. Pertussis
is highly contagious and can be deadly for
newborn babies too young to be vaccinated. Six
Queensland babies died of whooping cough
between 2000 and 2013. Diphtheria (now rare)
and Tetanus vaccines protect against diseases
which occur in older adults.
3.
A vaccine against Chicken Pox (varicella) which
is a much more severe disease when children of
an older age acquire it and can have serious
consequences including pneumonia and infection
of the brain.
All these vaccines are safe and effective. Vaccines
are rigorously tested in thousands of people in
clinical trials and must pass safety tests before being
allowed to be used in Australia.
Very robust
monitoring then occurs when vaccines are in use.
Parent/Legal Guardian: to have your child
vaccinated, please:
 Read this information and discuss with your child
 Complete the consent form included
 Make sure you choose YES or NO for each
vaccine and sign alongside your choice
 Include the date below signature boxes
 Return the consent form as soon as possible
We wish to monitor responses to these vaccines by
text messaging parents three days after children are
vaccinated. Please complete your mobile phone
number on the consent form so this can occur.
In this information booklet, you will find:
 information
on the three vaccines and the
diseases that they prevent;
 separate
consent form for you to complete to
confirm your child’s vaccination requirements;
 how your information will be handled;
 advice for post vaccination care;
 options for returning completed consent form;
 details on where to find more information.
A consent form must be returned for all students
to ensure that all parents/legal guardians have
received the offer of this service.
You can return the completed consent form by either:
Returning it to school in the supplied envelope
Scanning then emailing both sides of the consent
form to [email protected]
Submit
electronic
form
online
www.health.qld.gov.au/immuniseGC
at
Why are students vaccinated at this age?
These vaccines are being provided in Year 7 and
Year 8 students as adolescents receiving vaccines
before age 14 develop a stronger immune response
than those receiving vaccines later in adolescence
due to changes in the immune system after this age.
Vaccination clinics will be conducted by a team of
specially trained registered nurses. We are working
closely with schools to ensure the program reaches
all parents/legal guardians.
Consent of a parent/legal guardian is needed
before any student can be vaccinated.
years. Both boys and girls benefit from the vaccine’s
protection.
While the vaccine provides girls with the best
protection against cervical cancer, regular Pap
smears are still essential for all women from 18 years
of age or within two years of first having sex. This is
because the HPV vaccine does not prevent all
cervical cancers. Pap smears detect abnormal
changes to cells in the cervix so treatment can start
before cancer develops.
Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis
(whooping cough) Vaccine (dTpa)
Only students with a completed and signed consent
form will be vaccinated. After both the
parent/guardian and student have read this
information sheet, please complete and sign the
consent form indicating your consent or decline to the
vaccinations being offered.
What are diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis?
You may withdraw consent at any stage by
contacting [email protected]
Tetanus occurs when wounds are infected by
bacteria present in the soil. It causes painful muscle
spasms, convulsions and lockjaw. In Australia, about
three percent of people who develop tetanus will die.
If your child arrives to be vaccinated without a signed
consent form, you will be contacted to obtain verbal
consent.
Prior to vaccination the nurse will ask your child if
they feel unwell and check that the contact details
provided on the consent form are all up to date.
Your child will be provided with a vaccination record
to take home.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
What is HPV?
HPV is a very common infectious disease and most
people (more than 80%) will have a HPV infection at
some time in their lives. Most HPV infections do not
cause any symptoms and people usually do not know
they have the infection. It is an important cause of a
range of cancers and other conditions.
What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine?
The HPV vaccine protects against a range of HPV
related cancers and diseases by preventing infection
caused by the four most common HPV types.
The vaccine contains virus-like particles.
What are the benefits of receiving HPV vaccine?
There is currently no treatment for HPV. In most
people the virus is cleared naturally in one to two
Diphtheria is caused by bacteria that infect the
mouth, throat and nose and results in an extremely
sore throat and breathing difficulties. It can produce
nerve paralysis and heart failure. About one in 15
people infected with diphtheria will die.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious
respiratory disease resulting in a severe cough that
may last for months. The infected person may gasp
for air causing a ‘whooping’ sound and they may also
have severe coughing spasms followed by gagging
or vomiting. Complications can include convulsions,
pneumonia, coma, inflammation of the brain,
permanent brain damage and long-term lung
damage.
What is diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTpa)
vaccine?
The dTpa vaccine is a booster three in one vaccine
against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
Why is this vaccine being offered to my child
now?
All three of these diseases are serious, can be lifethreatening, and can occur during adolescence and
adulthood.
Even if your child has been vaccinated against
diphtheria and/or tetanus, they should still be
vaccinated with dTpa vaccine to provide protection
against whooping cough as well. There is no
minimum waiting period between previously
administered diphtheria and/or tetanus vaccines and
dTpa.
Varicella (Chicken Pox) Vaccine
What is Varicella (Chickenpox)?
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused
by the varicella-zoster virus. The disease starts with
cold-like symptoms such as a mild fever, followed by
a rash that turns into red spots and blisters. It is
spread through coughing, sneezing and direct
contact with chickenpox blisters. While chickenpox is
usually a mild disease in healthy children, there are
possible life-threatening complications such as
pneumonia or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
which can be fatal in about three in 100,000 cases. If
a pregnant woman has chickenpox, there is also a
small chance of damage to the unborn baby.
Chickenpox can also lead to shingles (herpes zoster)
in later life.
Vaccination can prevent chickenpox
The safest and most effective way of preventing
chickenpox is through vaccination. Varicella
vaccination provides long lasting protection for
children.
What is the Varicella vaccine?
The vaccine contains a live-weakened varicella
zoster virus.
What if my child has already had chickenpox?
If your child has been confirmed as having had
chickenpox, they may be considered immune to the
disease and not need to be vaccinated.
Why is the vaccine being offered to my child
now?
Research has shown that the chickenpox vaccine in
children provides increased protection and reduces
the risk of chickenpox occurring at a later time. This
vaccine is recommended for adolescents by the
National Health and Medical Research Council
unless your child has recently been vaccinated or
has had chickenpox. Students aged 14 years or older
at the time of the first dose require another dose
given one to two months after the first dose. Fourteen
year old students who receive their first dose as part
of the school program are eligible to receive their
second dose free from a public immunisation clinic or
their doctor (a consultation fee may apply) before the
end of Year 9.
Will my child’s vaccination details be kept
private?
The Information Privacy Act 2009 sets out the rules
for collection and handling of personal information
contained in the School Immunisation Program
consent form.
As part of participation in the School Immunisation
Program, Queensland Health collects details such as
the student’s name, contact information and relevant
health information. We also may need to collect
contact details for the parent or legal guardian of the
student. This information is needed to correctly
deliver vaccinations and to record vaccination details
on Queensland Health’s immunisation database
(Vaccination
Information
and
Vaccination
Administration System). Authorised Queensland
Health staff and Vaccine Service Providers registered
with Queensland Health may access your information
for the purpose of clinical follow up or disease
prevention, control and monitoring. Your information
will not be accessed by or given to any other person
or organisation without your permission unless
permitted or required by law.
For information about how Queensland Health
protects your personal information, or to learn about
your right to access your own personal information,
please see our website at www.health.qld.gov.au.
Can these vaccines have side effects?
Like all medications, vaccines may have side effects
but these are usually mild and temporary and do not
lead to any long term problems. If a reaction is
severe or persistent, or if you are worried, contact
your doctor or hospital as soon as possible.
Possible common side effects of all vaccines may
include fever, mild headache, feeling unwell and
redness, pain or swelling at the injection site. Serious
side effects, such as severe allergic reaction, are
extremely rare.
Other, less common side effects are: mild headache,
fever, chills, diarrhoea, nausea, body aches,
decreased energy, and sore or swollen joints. The
current dTpa vaccine is different from the vaccine
offered when your child was of preschool age and
adverse reactions are less common.
A chickenpox-like rash at the injection site or a
chickenpox-like rash over the body in five to 26 days
after receiving the chicken pox vaccine may occur in
about four people out of every 100 who receive the
vaccine.
What can I do if my child can’t be vaccinated at
school or misses a dose at the school clinic?
For a vaccine to be effective, all doses must be
received. If doses are missed, your child may not be
fully protected.
You can take your child to a free Gold Coast
Immunisation Clinic, no appointment required.
www.health.qld.gov.au/immuniseGC.
You can also take your child to your doctor, where
the vaccine will be free, however your doctor may
charge a consultation fee. When you call your
doctors surgery for an appointment, advise the
receptionist what vaccinations are required so they
can order the vaccine.
Helping your child get ready for vaccination
Children are often worried about getting immunised
or getting needles of any kind. To help make this
easier for your child it is important to let them know
what will happen. Tell them when the clinic will be
and remind them at least one day before.
What to do after vaccination
1. For soreness, redness, itching, swelling or burning
at the injection site, apply a cold compress to ease
discomfort.
2. If fever or pain is present, paracetamol can be
given as directed. Paracetamol should not be given
for more than 48 hours without seeking medical
advice.
3. If you are worried about your child’s condition after
vaccination, seek medical advice from your doctor or
vaccine provider as soon as possible or go directly to
a hospital.
Find out more
Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
For free public immunisation clinics visit:
www.health.qld.gov.au/immuniseGC
Visit the Immunise Australia website:
www.immunise.health.gov.au
Contact your doctor
Help them work out ways to cope better.
Distraction - thinking about something else is a good
way to cope with something that might hurt. Help
them to come up with a list of things they can do to
distract themselves while waiting. For example, they
could:
Think of a favourite memory;
Talk with a friend;
Listen to music;
Remember to return the Consent Form
You can return the completed consent form by either:
Return to school in the supplied envelope
Scanning then emailing both sides of the consent
form to [email protected]
Submit electronic form online at
www.health.qld.gov.au/immuniseGC
Read a book.
Never say, “It won’t hurt”.
Be honest. Tell them what they can really expect.
“You might feel a small pinch and some pressure”.
Help them stay calm.
Be calm and matter of fact yourself. This is an
important part of growing up.
Don’t joke or tease.
Be encouraging and supportive.
On the day of the vaccination give them a nutritious
breakfast, making sure they wear a loose shirt and
are feeling well. If they are feeling nervous
encourage them to let the immunisation nurse know.
Please note on the consent form if your child is likely
to be highly anxious about receiving an injection.
How to access immunisation records
A record of vaccinations received at school will be
sent home with your child on vaccination day. It is
important to keep this information for future
reference.
If required, you can access records of immunisations
received through the School Immunisation Program
by emailing us a request at
[email protected].
Please include with your request your child’s full
name, home address and date of birth.