DO NOT RETURN THIS BOOKLET KEEP IT WITH YOUR CHILD’S PERSONAL HEALTH RECORD (BABY BOOK) School Based Immunisation INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND2018 STUDENTS A joint initiative of the Tasmanian Government and the local council in your schoolʼs area 1 ü Checklist for parents Read the information about diseases, risks and benefits of vaccination. Complete the 2 consent forms. Sign consent forms, even if your child is not being vaccinated. Return consent forms to school by 21 February 2018 even if your child is not being vaccinated. For free help to fill in the forms, call LINC on 1300 00 2610 IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE COORDINATING COUNCIL IN YOUR SCHOOL’S AREA SEE PAGES 14-15 IN THIS BOOKLET FOR PHONE NUMBERS 2 Information about the school program THE ABOUT SCHOOL INFORM ATION PROGRAM Immunisation is the safest and most effective way to stop the spread of many infectious diseases. The protection provided by some childhood vaccines weakens over time and needs to be boosted in adolescence, and for other vaccines, early adolescence is the best time for trimmed area the vaccine to be given. Vaccines not only protect your child from harmful diseases, but also offer important benefits for the long-term health of the community. The National Immunisation Program provides free vaccine for children in Year 7 and the local council, in your child’s school area, co-ordinates the immunisation program. If your child is immunised by your doctor, the vaccine will be free but you may be charged a consultation fee. Students are offered free vaccines through the National Immunisation Program to protect against: • Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa). This is a booster dose of vaccine previously received by children between the ages of 0-4 years. • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This is funded for female and male students in Year 7 only. All vaccines in Australia are tested for safety and effectiveness before they are approved for use. This testing is required by law. Australia has a national surveillance system, which reports and monitors all adverse events following immunisation. 3 3 Information about vaccines All school vaccines are given in the upper arm. The diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine given in high school is a trimmed area booster dose, given as one injection. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is given as 2 doses, on different days, 6 months apart. All school vaccines are safe and well tolerated. Worldwide tens of millions of doses have been given. INFORMATION ABOUT VACCINES INFORMATION 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. 4 4 INFORMATION ABOUT VACCINES INFORMATION 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 trimmed area the immunisation: ■ mild temperature (below 39°C) ■ 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 an ice pack to the sore injection site ■ taking paracetamol to reduce any discomfort. 5 5 trimmed area INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS INFORMATION 6 6 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 your sports uniform or clothing that you can pull up for the injection to be given easily. trimmed area Have a good breakfast on the day of vaccination. Females receiving the HPV 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. 7 7 Information for parents What is this about and who is involved? The Australian Government provides free vaccinations for students. trimmed area Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are recommended for all grade 7 students. The local council in your school’s area manages the vaccination program for your school by: ■ delivering and collecting consent forms INFORMATION FOR PARENTS INFORMATION ■ 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 to government registers ■ 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. 8 8 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 trimmed area 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 need help to fill in the forms, contact LINC on 1300 00 2610. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the coordinating 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, legally you must contact the relevant council (not your school) and let them know in writing that you do not want your child immunised. 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. 9 9 RECOMMENDED VACCINE FOR YEAR 7 STUDENTS THE FACTS Human papillomavirus HPV trimmed area 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 females and males. ■ 2 doses are needed for the best protection. These are given on 2 different days, 6 months apart. 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 can occur 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. 10 HPV What are the benefits of receiving the HPV vaccine? THE FACTS ■ It protects against the HPV types which cause: Human papillomavirus – 70 per cent of cervical cancer in females HPV – 90 per cent of HPV-related cancers in males – 90 per cent of genital warts. trimmed area ■ 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. 11 RECOMMENDED VACCINE FOR YEAR 7 STUDENTS THE FACTS Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis trimmed area 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.