The Secondary School Vaccine Program offers free vaccines to Year 7 and 10 students. These vaccines provide protection against:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) – one dose for year 7 students
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – two doses for year 7 students
- Meningococcal A,C,W,Y – one dose for year 10 students
Parents/guardians of Year 7 and 10 students should look out for the vaccine consent card booklet coming home with students. Please read the information, complete and return the card regardless of participation in the vaccination program at school.
The Yarra Ranges service may contact parents about the Secondary School Vaccine Program. Schools are authorised to provide basic parent/guardian contact details to local councils for this purpose. Contact the school by 28 February if you do not want your contact details given to the immunisation service.
To learn more about the Secondary School Vaccine Program, the vaccines, the diseases they protect 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, including 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 should speak with their local council or GP.