KEEP THIS BOOKLET WITH YOUR CHILD'S PERSONAL HEALTH RECORD (BABY BOOK) School Based Immunisation INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS A joint initiative of the Tasmanian Government and the local council in your school's area 1 Checklist for parents Read the information about diseases, risks and benefits of vaccination. Complete consent form/s. Sign consent form/s, even if your child is not being vaccinated. Return consent form/s to school by 19 February 2014 even if your child is not being vaccinated. Help to fill in forms is available through LINC Tasmania in your local area This is a free service 1300 002 610 IF YOU REQUIRE MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE LOCAL COUNCIL IN YOUR SCHOOL'S AREA SEE PAGES 14-15 IN THIS BOOKLET FOR TELEPHONE NUMBERS 2 Information about vaccines VACCINES ABOUT INFORM ATION All school vaccines are given in the upper arm. The diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine given in high school is a booster dose, given as one injection. Varicella (chickenpox) is given as one injection. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is given as three doses, on different days over 6 months. All school vaccines are safe and well tolerated. Worldwide tens of millions of doses have been given. Most side effects are minor, for example discomfort or redness at the injection site, and disappear quickly. You cannot catch the diseases from the vaccines. After vaccination students will stay near the doctor/nurse immuniser so they can be observed for any immediate reactions. Severe reactions are rare. Having more than one injection on the same day does not increase the chance of a child having a reaction to the vaccines. Females receiving the HPV vaccine will be asked if there is a chance they could be pregnant. There is limited information about the safety of this vaccine during pregnancy. Females receiving varicella (chickenpox) vaccine will be asked if there is a chance they could be pregnant as this vaccination is not recommended during pregnancy. 3 3 Possible side-effects Severe allergic reactions are rare. If any reaction is severe or persistent, or if you are worried about your child, contact your doctor, hospital, or after hours medical service. Most side-effects are minor and quickly disappear. The following reactions may occur soon after the immunisation: ■ mild temperature (below 39°C) POSSIBLE SIDE-EFFECTS ■ temporary small lump at the injection site ■ pain, redness and swelling at the injection site ■ feeling unwell. If mild reactions do occur, the side-effects can be reduced by: ■ applying a cold wet cloth on sore injection site ■ taking paracetamol to reduce any discomfort. 4 4 Information for students FOR STUDENTS INFORMATION Read the information in this Booklet about the vaccines and the diseases that they protect against. Talk to your parents or your family doctor if you have any questions. The injections will be given in your upper arm by a nurse or doctor who will come to your school. It is helpful to wear loose clothing that you can pull up your arm and over your shoulder for the injection. Have a good breakfast on the day of vaccination. Females receiving the HPV vaccine or varicella (chickenpox) vaccine will be asked if there is a chance they could be pregnant. Most side effects are minor, for example discomfort or redness at the injection site, and disappear quickly. 5 5 Information for parents What is this about and who is involved? The Australian Government provides free vaccinations for students. Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) (dTpa), human papillomavirus (HPV) and varicella (chickenpox) are recommended for all grade 7 students. In 2014 only, all students in grade 9 will be offered the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine and males in grade 9 will be offered HPV vaccine. These students have not received these vaccines previously in the school program. INFORMATION FOR PARENTS INFORMATION The local council in your school's area manages the vaccination program for your school by: ■ delivering and collecting consent forms ■ ensuring all details on the consent forms are completed ■ providing doctors or nurse immunisers to give the injections ■ providing students with a record of immunisation on the day of vaccinations for parents to keep ■ providing parents with certificates of immunisation upon request ■ recording your child’s vaccination details and reporting HPV vaccination to the HPV Register ■ providing important information about vaccination rates to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Tasmania. Your school helps the council by: ■ giving and collecting consent forms from students ■ providing information to parents and students about immunisation ■ providing a place at the school for the doctor/nurse to give the injections. 6 6 INFORMATION FOR PARENTS INFORMATION Why is it important? Providing vaccines at school is one of the best ways to protect your child and the community from diseases which can cause severe illness and sometimes death. These vaccines are only free for your child during this school year. Vaccinations received after this year will need to be paid for at your family doctor. It is important your child receives all recommended vaccines. If you have consented for your child to be vaccinated and your child is away from school on the day of vaccination, the council will inform you about the missed vaccination and let you know what to do. What do you need to do? Please read the information provided before completing the consent forms. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the local council in your school's area as soon as possible – the phone numbers are provided in this Booklet on pages 14 and 15. If you have relevant medical information about your child that will assist council, please write it on the consent form. It is important that all consent forms are returned to school, by the due date, even if your child is not being vaccinated. This helps to identify who is or isn't going to be vaccinated. If at anytime you wish to withdraw consent, you must contact the relevant council (not your school) to legally withdraw consent. If you have signed yes to vaccination at school and your child has the vaccination somewhere else, please let the relevant council know as soon as possible so that it is not given again at school. 7 7 RECOMMENDED VACCINE FOR YEAR 7 STUDENTS AND IN 2014 ONLY YEAR 9 BOYS THE FACTS Human papillomavirus (HPV) HPV Important points ■ Best protection against the disease is provided when the vaccine is given before sexual activity starts. ■ HPV is a common and highly contagious virus that can affect anyone. ■ HPV vaccine protects against the most common causes of cervical and some other cancers and genital warts in males and females. ■ 3 doses are needed for the best protection. Human papillomavirus (HPV) ■ HPV is a common virus that can affect anyone. ■ HPV is spread by direct skin to skin contact with a person who has the virus. ■ HPV is an infection that occurs shortly after sexual activity starts. ■ HPV can cause genital warts and some cancers including cervical cancer in females, cancers of the genital area in males and females, and some cancers of the mouth and throat. 8 What are the benefits of receiving the HPV vaccine? HPV ■ It protects against the HPV types which cause THE FACTS – 70 per cent of cervical cancer in females Human papillomavirus (HPV) – 90 per cent of HPV-related cancers in males – 90 per cent of genital warts. ■ The vaccine provides best protection when it is given to someone before they become sexually active. ■ It prevents infection but does not treat existing HPV infections. Will girls need Pap smears later in life? ■ Yes, because the vaccine doesn’t prevent all types of HPV infections that cause cervical cancer. ■ Yes, Pap smears are recommended for all women every two years, starting at age 18 or two years after first becoming sexually active. National HPV Vaccination Program Register (HPV Register) ■ The HPV Register collects information keeping personal identifying details confidential. ■ The information collected is used to administer the program effectively, through sending reminders and a completion statement once all three doses are received. ■ Information is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. ■ You can choose not to have your child's information sent to the HPV Register. 9 RECOMMENDED VACCINE FOR YEAR 7 STUDENTS AND IN 2014 ONLY YEAR 9 THE FACTS Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis dTpa (whooping cough) (dTpa) Important points ■ One injection is required at high school which is a booster dose. ■ Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis are combined in the one injection. ■ In Australia these vaccines are not available as separate injections. What is diphtheria? ■ Diphtheria infection causes difficulty in swallowing, breathing and can cause death from blockage of the throat or from toxins. ■ Diphtheria is a severe disease. ■ Diphtheria is caused by bacteria which may be found in the mouth, throat and nose. ■ Diphtheria can be caught through coughs and sneezes from an infected person. 10 dTpa What is tetanus? THE FACTS ■ Tetanus is a risk for everyone because it is caused by bacteria in soils, dust and manure. Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis ■ The bacteria can enter the body through a wound which may be as small as a pin prick. (whooping cough) (dTpa) ■ Tetanus causes muscle spasms, breathing difficulties and painful convulsions. It may cause death. ■ Tetanus occurs in people who have never been immunised or who have not had their booster vaccines. What is pertussis (whooping cough)? ■ Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that causes severe coughing spasms, vomiting and gasping for air. ■ Whooping cough can be caught through coughs and sneezes from an infected person.