Immunisation

We support the immunisation of children, before they enter Kindergarten in NSW Public Schools, to protect them against outbreaks of infectious diseases.

When enrolling a child, parents/caregivers will be asked to provide an Immunisation History Statement. The Immunisation History Statement can be obtained by contacting the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809.

A child without an Immunisation History Statement will not be prevented from enrolling. Under the NSW Public Health Act 1991, however, children without proof of immunisation may be asked by Public Health Officials to stay at home during an outbreak of vaccine preventable disease.

Schools should contact their local Public Health Unit in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease for advice.

Schools cooperate with NSW Health to implement NSW School-Based Immunisation Programs. The assistance of principals and school staff with this important public health initiative is acknowledged and welcomed.

Information on the NSW School-Based Immunisation Program can be accessed from the NSW Health website. This includes information on the schedule of vaccines currently being offered to students.

In addition, NSW Health visits Intensive English Centres (IECs) to offer a range of vaccines as appropriate.

Parent Information Kits

Principals are contacted by their Public Health Unit to discuss arrangements for the clinics. For each vaccine offered, Parent Information Kits are forwarded to the school for distribution to parents via their child prior to the clinic. The kits contain a vaccine-specific consent form, Q&A sheet and information on the privacy issues regarding collection of personal health details.

Only students who have the vaccine specific consent form signed by their parent/legal guardian, will be vaccinated. It is important that principals closely monitor the receipt of signed consent forms.

Despite a signed consent form being provided, a parent/legal guardian is entitled to revoke or withdraw their consent at any time prior to the vaccination taking place. The procedure for parents to withdraw their consent can be accessed from the NSW Health website. Any notifications of withdrawn consent must be kept by the school until collected by the Public Health Unit.

Some translated material about school-based immunisation programs is available for parents. However, only the English Consent Form should be completed. The material can be accessed from the NSW Health website.

Enquiries about the vaccination program can be directed to the local public health unit.