News | Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Information for Parents and Guardians
From February 2023, the National Immunisation Program (NIP) dosing schedule for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will change from two doses to a single dose for most people.
How has the HPV vaccine schedule changed?
From February 2023, the recommended HPV vaccine schedule for most people has changed from two-doses to a single dose course using the same Gardasil®9 vaccine. There is no change to the amount of vaccine that is given in the single dose.
The schedule has not changed for immunocompromised people, and they may still need to receive three doses of HPV vaccine which are all funded under the NIP.
What is the secondary school immunisation program?
Immunisation protects people from harmful diseases. If your child is aged 10 to 19, they can receive free vaccinations at school as part of the Secondary School Immunisation Program. Immunisations are safe and effective, and administered by a council nurse at secondary schools.
You will be provided with information about these immunisation sessions by your child’s school and must return a card to the school providing or declining your consent.
Your child can also receive immunisations at your GP, a local council immunisation service and some pharmacies.
Due to extended COVID-19 lockdowns and while learning from home, your child may have missed out on getting important vaccinations. Parents or guardians should advise the school and nurse of any missed immunisations, or vaccines they received outside of the school immunisation program.
Why is immunisation important for adolescents?
Immunisation protects people from harmful diseases. If your child is aged 10 to 19, they can receive free vaccinations at school as part of the Secondary School Immunisation Program.
Immunisations are safe and effective, and administered by a council nurse at secondary schools.
You will be provided with information about these immunisation sessions by your child’s school and must return a card to the school providing or declining your consent.
Your child can also receive immunisations at your GP, a local council immunisation service and some pharmacies.
Due to extended COVID-19 lockdowns and while learning from home, your child may have missed out on getting important vaccinations. Parents or guardians should advise the school and nurse of any missed immunisations, or vaccines they received outside of the school immunisation program.
What vaccinations are provided in secondary school?
Some vaccines are routinely provided free of charge to all Victorian secondary school students.
Students in Year 7 (or aged 12-13) receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (2 doses, 6 months apart) and the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) combined vaccine (1 dose).
Students in Year 10 (or aged 15-16) receive the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine (1 dose).
Your child’s school will support these important immunisations, together with the local council, as part of the Secondary School Immunisations Program (SSIP). They will communicate with you about upcoming immunisation sessions and you will receive information about a consent card which you must return to the school providing or declining your consent for your child to be immunised.
What information will I receive about secondary school-based immunisations?
If you have a child in Year 7 or Year 10 at secondary school in 2023, look out for immunisation information and a consent form coming home with your child.
Students who are eligible for vaccination must take the form home and have it completed and signed by their parent or guardian. You must return the completed consent section to the school for your child to receive immunisation.
You can say no to the offer of free, school-based immunisation for children. If you wish to do so, you still need to return the consent section of the form to the school, marked as ‘declined’.
When they bring the information and consent form home, take time to talk with your child about vaccination – why it’s important and how you both feel about it. If you have any questions that are not answered by the information provided with the consent form, contact your GP or your local council immunisation service.
Are vaccines safe?
Yes. The vaccine development process is very thorough and careful. All vaccines used in Australia are rigorously tested by the Therapeutic Goods Administration before and after they are approved.
Even once vaccines are in use they continue to be monitored for safety and effectiveness.
Immunisations are the best way to keep your child safe from harmful diseases. And when you protect your child from these diseases, you also protect others in your family and community who cannot be immunised by limiting the spread of disease.
At school-based immunisation sessions, students are vaccinated by immunisation nurses who are specially qualified to provide this service. Your local council works with your child’s school to provide a COVIDSafe environment for students, staff and the immunisation team.
What if my child missed their school vaccinations in 2021 or 2022?
Secondary school immunisations are usually provided to students in Year 7 and Year 10. Due to interruptions to school-based learning in 2020 to 2022, some students who are now in Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 may need to complete their vaccine program this year to ensure they are protected.
If your child missed out on their school-based vaccinations last year, speak to your school, GP or local council immunisation service about how they can catch up.
To see if your child is due for any vaccines, check your child’s immunisation history statement on the Australian Immunisation Register using your MyGov account. If your child is over 14 they will need to access their immunisation history statement themselves through their own MyGov account or the Medicare mobile app.
Learn more about school-based vaccinations and why they’re important: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/immunisation-in-secondary-schools#immunisation-for-secondary-school-students-is-important