Year 7 immunisation consent form

How to complete the form

Read the information provided.

Complete the vaccine consent section for each vaccine program and type your name if consenting.

Return the consent sections even if you do not want your child to be vaccinated.

Contact your local council for more information or see the further information section.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) information

What is human papillomavirus?

HPV is a very common virus in men and women. It is very common to be infected with one or more types of HPV shortly after sexual activity starts. Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and are cleared from the body in less than a year without the person knowing they were infected. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts and some cancers. These cancers include cervical cancer in women, cancers of the genital area in men and women, and some cancers of the mouth and throat.

What are the benefits of receiving the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine GARDASIL®9 protects against seven HPV types which cause over 90 per cent of cervical cancer in women and over 90 per cent of HPV-related cancers in men. It also protects against an additional two HPV types which cause 90 per cent of genital warts. The vaccine provides best protection when given at a younger age and when it is given to someone before they become sexually active. The vaccine prevents disease but does not treat existing HPV infections.

By vaccinating your child you are preventing them from being infected with a cancer-causing virus.

How is the vaccine given?

For children aged 14 years and under at the time of the first dose, the HPV vaccine consists of two injections given into the upper arm with the second dose given at least six months after the first. Please read the pre-immunisation checklist to see if your child needs three doses.

How long will vaccine protection last?

Recent studies have shown good continuing protection against HPV lasting for over 10 years to date. Studies are ongoing to determine if a booster dose will be necessary in the future but this is not thought to be likely.

How safe is the HPV vaccine?

It is safe and well tolerated. Worldwide over 200 million doses have been given over the last decade. The vaccine does not contain HPV but appears similar enough to the virus so that the body produces antibodies, which prevent HPV infection.

Will girls need cervical screening tests later in life?

Yes, because the vaccine doesn’t prevent all types of HPV infection that cause cervical cancer, cervical screening tests are still essential for women later in life. Having regular cervical screening tests further reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer.

What are the possible side effects?

Common side effects

These indicate that your child’s immune system is responding to the vaccine.

  • Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
  • A temporary small lump at the injection site
  • Low grade fever
  • Feeling unwell
  • Headache
  • Fainting may occur up to 30 minutes after any vaccination.
  • If mild reactions do occur, the side effects can be reduced by:
  • drinking extra fluids and not over-dressing if the person has a fever
  • taking paracetamol and placing a cold, wet cloth on the sore injection site.

Uncommon side effects

Rash or hives

It is recommended that anyone who has a rash or hives after a vaccine should talk with their immunisation provider before having further doses of that same vaccine.

Rare side effect

A severe allergic reaction, for example facial swelling, difficulty breathing.

In the event of a severe allergic reaction, immediate medical attention will be provided. If reactions are severe or persistent, or if you are worried, contact your doctor or hospital.

Pre-immunisation checklist

Some children need a three-dose course of Gardasil®9 vaccine.

To ensure your child receives the correct spacing of the three doses, your child must attend their GP or a local council immunisation service.

Three doses of Gardasil®9 vaccine are recommended for:

  • a child aged 15 years or over
  • a child who has a disease or is having treatment which causes low immunity (for example HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or significant immunosuppressive treatment).

Before your child is immunised, tell your doctor or nurse if any of the following apply.

  • Is unwell on the day of immunisation (temperature over 38.5°C)
  • Has had a severe reaction to any vaccine
  • Has any severe allergies such as an anaphylactic reaction to yeast
  • Is pregnant.

After vaccination wait at the place of vaccination a minimum of 15 minutes.

Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough information

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is caused by bacteria which are found in the mouth, throat and nose. Diphtheria causes a membrane to grow around the inside of the throat. This can make it difficult to swallow, breathe and can even lead to suffocation.

The bacteria produce a poison which can spread around the body and cause serious complications such as paralysis and heart failure. Around 10 per cent of people who contract diphtheria die from it.

Diphtheria can be caught through coughs and sneezes from an infected person.

Tetanus

Tetanus is caused by bacteria which are present in soils, dust and manure.

The bacteria can enter the body through a wound which may be as small as a pin prick. Tetanus cannot be passed from person to person.

Tetanus is an often fatal disease which attacks the nervous system. It causes muscle spasms first felt in the neck and jaw muscles. Tetanus can lead to breathing difficulties, painful convulsions and abnormal heart rhythms.

Because of the effective vaccine, tetanus is now rare in Australia, but it still occurs in adults who have never been immunised against the disease or who have not had their booster vaccines.

Whooping cough

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease which affects the air passages and breathing. The disease causes severe coughing spasms. Coughing spasms are often followed by vomiting and the cough can last for months.

Whooping cough can be caught through coughs or sneezes from an infected person.

Protection against whooping cough both from the disease and the vaccine decreases over time. Therefore a booster dose of whooping cough vaccine is recommended for adolescents aged between 11 and 13 years to maintain immunity into adulthood.

Diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough booster vaccine

The diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough booster vaccine contains a small amount of diphtheria and tetanus toxins which are modified to make them harmless, small parts of purified components of whooping cough, a small amount of aluminium salt and preservative.

This booster vaccine has lower concentrations particularly of diphtheria and whooping cough components compared with the children’s vaccine.

The vaccine is safe and well tolerated in adolescents.

This combination vaccine can be given any time after a recent tetanus-containing vaccine is given.

Possible side effects of diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough booster vaccine

Most side effects are minor and quickly disappear. If the following reactions occur, it will be soon after the vaccination.

Common side effects

These indicate that your child’s immune system is responding to the vaccine.

  • Mild temperature
  • Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
  • A temporary small lump at the injection site
  • Feeling unwell
  • Fainting may occur up to 30 minutes after any vaccination.
  • If mild reactions do occur, the side effects can be reduced by:
  • drinking extra fluids and not over-dressing if the person has a fever
  • taking paracetamol and placing a cold, wet cloth on the sore injection site.

Extremely rare side effects

  • Brachial neuritis (severe pain, shoulder and upper arm)
  • Severe allergic reaction.

In the event of a severe allergic reaction, immediate medical attention will be provided. If reactions are severe or persistent, or if you are worried, contact your doctor or hospital.

Pre-immunisation checklist

Before your child is immunised, tell your doctor or nurse if any of the following apply.

Is unwell on the day of immunisation (temperature over 38.5°C)

Has any severe allergies

Has had a severe reaction to any vaccine

Is pregnant.

After vaccination wait at the place of vaccination a minimum of 15 minutes.

Further information

If you require further advice or information, please contact your local council immunisation service or local doctor.

Or visit the following websites:

Better Health Channel 

Australian Government Department of Health

Translating and interpreting service call 131 450

What is the National Immunisation Program?

An Australian government, state government and local council initiative, the National Immunisation Program aims to protect the community from vaccine preventable diseases. As part of the program, free vaccines are offered to, and recommended for, Year 7 secondary school students.

The following vaccines are recommended for Year 7 secondary school students:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) (two separate injections in the upper arm, over six months apart)

Diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough (a single injection in the upper arm).

Vaccines are administered by immunisation nurses, employed by local council immunisation services, who visit each Victorian secondary school a number of times a year.

Why should I have my child immunised?

Immunisation is the safest and most effective way to stop the spread of many infectious diseases. 

The protection provided by some childhood vaccines fades and needs to be boosted in adolescence and for other vaccines, adolescence is the best time for the vaccine to be given.

Vaccines not only protect your child from harmful diseases, but offer important benefits for the long-term health of the community.

If enough people in the community are immunised, the diseases can no longer be spread from person to person in the community. 

In Australia, vaccines are registered for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA has a surveillance system which monitors and reports adverse events following immunisation. 

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent at any time by contacting your local council. See the Further information section.

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