Year 7 students can get free immunisations at school to protect against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (dTpa), and human papillomavirus (HPV).

These diseases can cause serious illness, and immunisations provide the best protection against them.

Year 7 is the best time as the HPV vaccine works best before young people are exposed to the virus.
Students will only be immunised if a completed consent form is returned to the school and consent is provided.

Consent form

Schools send out year 7 immunisation consent packs to parents. When you get the pack, read the information and speak with your child about immunisation. Then fill in the consent form, sign it and return it to the school as soon as you can.

If you did not receive a consent pack, you can download the

Read the information and speak with your child about immunisation, before you fill in and return the consent form.

It is important that you complete the consent form and return it to the school, even if you DO NOT consent.

About the vaccines offered in year 7

Year 7 students are offered two free immunisations under the School Immunisation Program:

Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (dTpa) vaccine

One dose of the immunisation protects against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, with up to 92% efficacy within the first 2.5 years of receiving the immunisation.

Diphtheria is a serious throat and nose infection that can cause severe breathing difficulties, heart failure, nerve damage and death. One in six people with this sickness will die.

Tetanus is a serious disease caused by a toxin (poison) produced by bacteria found in dirt, dust and animal poo that can enter the body through a puncture wound, cut or burn. It can cause heart problems, blood clots in lungs, pneumonia (infection in your lungs) and death. Two in 100 people who get tetanus will die.

Whooping cough is a respiratory infection that spreads easily when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes. It can cause pneumonia (infection in your lungs) and sometimes leads to brain damage. It can spread to 100% of household contacts and up to 80 % of school contacts infected if they aren’t immunised or were immunised a long time ago.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

One dose of the immunisation protects against nine types of HPV types commonly related to genital cancers, throat and mouth cancers and genital warts.

The HPV immunisation is highly effective when given before a person becomes exposed to the virus.
In Australia, rates of genital warts – which are caused by HPV – have declined by more than 90% in younger immunised populations.

HPV is a very common virus that can infect both females and males. It is passed on through close or intimate skin-to-skin contact. Most people don’t know they have the HPV virus in their body or if they have passed it to someone else. Nine out of 10 people will catch the virus some time in their life if they have not been immunised.

Safety

The dTpa and HPV vaccines are safe, tested, and widely used in Australia and around the world.
These immunisations do not contain any live components. You cannot get the disease from the immunisation.

It is safe to have the dTpa and HPV immunisation at the same time.

Side effects

Most side effects are mild and only last a few days. Students who have been immunised may have a sore arm, feel tired, get a mild fever or feel unwell. These side effects, if experienced, are considered to be common and expected.

Serious reactions are rare.

If you are worried about side effects, speak to:

  • Immunisation Section at SA Health, 1300 232 272
  • your nurse, GP, or immunisation provider
  • healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

All unexpected side effects should be reported to your doctor, immunisation provider or directly to the Immunisation Section at SA Health on 1300 232 272 (Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm).

What year 7 students can expect on the day

A trained immunisation provider will visit the school to give both immunisations, usually during the same school visit.

Year 7 students should eat breakfast, wear a short-sleeved shirt and bring a water bottle.

If you have provided consent for your child to be immunised at school and your child is not at school on immunisation day, the immunisation provider will contact you for follow up. Missed immunisations are also available at your local council immunisation clinic, GP or participating pharmacy.

Video resources for students:

For more information on how to prepare, what happens on the immunisation day, and what to expect afterwards, visit the FAQs.

Further information

For further information on the School Immunisation Program contact your GP or immunisation provider.