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.
Primary schools record the immunisation status of students on enrolment. They keep the record for three years after the student leaves to enter high school. If a student changes primary schools the immunisation history statement (or a copy) is forwarded to the new primary school. Primary schools are not required to transfer history statements to high schools. High schools are not required to keep immunisation records.
A child without an Immunisation History Statement will not be prevented from enrolling. Under the NSW Public Health Act 2010, 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.
NSW School-Based Immunisation
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.
| HPV vaccination for boys from 2013 |
- The Australian Government has announced that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will be provided free to male students in high schools from 2013.
- In NSW, HPV vaccine will be offered to male students in Year 7 and Year 9 in 2013 and 2014 and then annually in Year 7 only from 2015 onwards.
- HPV vaccination will continue to be offered annually to female students in Year 7 only.
- Public Health Units will be contacting high schools shortly to book school clinics for 2013.
- The NSW Ministry of Health has provided more information for school principals here (PDF 94kB).
|
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.
