Adolescents

The ACT Government funds a free meningococcal ACWY vaccine for all Year 10 students.

Teenagers aged 16 to 19 can receive the vaccine as a catch-up dose through a GP.

Meningococcal disease is uncommon but can lead to serious complications. Teenagers have an increased risk. Rates of invasive meningococcal disease caused by meningococcal W and Y strains have increased across Australia in recent years.

•    FAQs for the meningococcal catch-up program

Your child’s vaccinations immunise them against various diseases, including:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Diphtheria 
• Tetanus
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

HPV vaccine (Gardasil®9) 

HPV is a common virus that affects both women and men. The vaccine is offered to Year 7 girls and boys and requires a course of two injections over the school year to develop the immune response.

The Department of Health, in partnership with NCIRS and Sharing Knowledge about Immunisation (SKAI), has developed a range of consumer resources to educate you on HPV. These include a factsheet and a student video. Please visit the Department of Health for more information.

Meningococcal ACWY school vaccination program for Year 10’s

ACT Health administers the meningococcal ACWY school-based vaccination program for Year 10 students.

The School Health Team provides the vaccination that protects against the meningococcal A, C, W and Y strains.

A catch-up program is also available for teenagers between 16 and 19. This is accessible through your GP.

Please see the links below for more information:

• Meningococcal ACWY school vaccination program factsheet
• FAQs for the meningococcal ACWY school vaccination program
• Meningococcal disease factsheet

All students receive a vaccine record on the day of their vaccination.

From 2018

Any vaccine given through a school-based program is added to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

You can view an immunisation history statement of all your child’s vaccines through the myGov website.

You can access this statement via two options:

1. online via myGov — follow the link to Medicare and then click on ‘Immunisation History Statement’
2. download the ‘Medicare Express Plus’ app on your mobile through the app store, click on the immunisation tab

Please contact the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) directly on 1800 653 809 if you child’s school vaccines don’t appear on their immunisation history statement after 3 weeks.

Before 2018

You can only obtain a record of HPV doses (Gardasil) through the HPV Register. Please print and complete the Request to add school vaccines to the Australian Immunisation Register Form to access other school vaccines on the Australian Immunisation Register.

It can take up to 2 weeks for the vaccines to appear on the Register.

Before 2003

No school vaccine records are available before 2003 as they were destroyed in the Canberra bush fires. We advise you to speak to your GP if you require more information on this.

Immunisations can be a stressful time for you child. Please see our tips below to help reduce your child’s fear, anxiety and stress on the day:

• discuss with them what the vaccines are for—explain the diseases they are protected against by having them
• inform them when the immunisations occur at their school so they can prepare themselves
• practice positive self-talk— “I can do this”

On the day of immunisations

• ensure they eat a substantial breakfast and drink plenty of water
• visit the nurses with them in the morning and have their immunisation done first—the less waiting the better
• ensure they wear loose fitting clothing, especially around the arms and shoulders—this makes it easier for nurses to give the injection
• you can accompany your child to their immunisation if they are very nervous, but you are not allowed to be with them in the recovery area

Please see the links below for helpful information about your child’s immunisation.

• ‘Jabbed’ documentary
• Find your language
• Year 7 consent card 2018
• Year 10 consent card 2018
• ACT Immunisation Schedule