Immunisation

What has changed?

The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care has announced that from 6 February 2023 the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine dosing schedule on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) will change from two doses to a single dose for most people. The age of eligibility for free catch-up vaccination will also increase from 19 to 25 years of age.

This change was made based on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), who have reviewed a large volume of international clinical evidence that shows a single dose provides comparable protection as two doses for immunocompetent people. The Australian Immunisation Handbook will be updated to reflect this change.

The schedule change will make it easier and faster to vaccinate young people for HPV, protecting them from a potentially cancer-causing virus.

Who is at risk?

HPV can affect anyone who is or has been sexually active, even if they have only experienced sexual contact once. It is very common to be infected with one or more types of HPV shortly after sexual activity starts. Nine out of 10 people have HPV at some time in their lives.

The ideal age for HPV vaccination is 12 – 13 years (before sexual debut), and in Victoria most young people are vaccinated in Year 7 through the Secondary School Immunisation Program. This program is administered by Council in all Secondary Schools.

Symptoms and transmission

HPV is a very common virus that is spread through sexual contact. Many people with HPV do not experience symptoms, and the virus can sometimes spontaneously clear from the body. Although symptoms of HPV can be vague, people should consult their doctor or sexual health clinic if they develop unusual vaginal or anal bleeding, experience pain during sex or have any lumps, pain or itching in the genital area.

Recommendations

Immunocompetent people who have received a single dose of HPV vaccine are now considered fully vaccinated, and do not need a second dose of HPV vaccine. The Australian Immunisation Register will be updated to reflect this change by the end of February 2023.

Immunisation providers must inform parents/carers who consented to the two-dose schedule in 2022 for their child to be vaccinated in the 2023 school year of the schedule change before their child’s immunisation session.

We provide free flu vaccinations to all eligible people under the National Immunisation Program from May until December. Flu vaccinations are available at all of our public immunisation sessions. Bookings are required for all immunisation sessions.

There are Over 65 flu only sessions, please ensure you select the correct session when booking for your child or yourself.

If your child is six months or older, it is recommended they get an influenza vaccine every year. Influenza vaccines are free for all children aged six months to under five years and for people aged 65 years and over. Influenza vaccines are given as a needle, usually in the leg or arm.

Your child can get an influenza vaccine either on its own or at the same time as their age-specific vaccinations. The best time to get an influenza vaccine is before the influenza season, which is usually June to September

People eligible for the free influenza vaccine:

• All children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged from 6 months
• All adults aged 65 years and over
• All people aged 6 months and above who have certain medical conditions which increase the risk of influenza disease complications; for example, severe asthma, lung or heart disease, low immunity or diabetes
• Pregnant women (during any stage of pregnancy)

Remember the flu doesn’t discriminate and anyone can be affected, that’s why it is so important that everyone in the community protects themselves against the flu this season and takes some easy steps to help stop the spread of the flu.

Please read the following information sheets provided by Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) in conjunction with the Australian Government Department of Health to help decide if influenza immunisation is right for your child.

Is Influenza immunisation recommended for my child info sheet - SKAI Influenza vaccine

Why does my child need a flu shot? Question and Answer sheet - SKAI NCIRS Influenza Q and A

Paediatrician Dr Margie explains how to protect your children from getting sick with the flu and the importance of the flu vaccination in children.

You can also read The Royal Children's Hospital Kids Health Info Factsheet on The Flu (Influenza).

When attending a public immunisation session at either Cowes, Grantville or Wonthaggi please bring along the following to ensure a smooth and fast process for you and your children.

• Child's Health and Development Record Book (green book)
• Medicare Card

If you have not previously attended one of our immunisation sessions, you will need complete a consent card prior to vaccination.

You will be asked to take a seat and wait for 15 minutes after all vaccinations to ensure your child doesn't develop a reaction to the vaccine/s, so please allow time for this.

Please seek advice from your child's doctor if your child is unwell prior to attending an immunisation session. Anyone with a temperature of 38.5°C and above will not be vaccinated. If you're unsure, the nurses on the day will advise whether or not they can proceed with the vaccination.

By law,parents or guardians must provide an Immunisation History Statement when youenrol your child in any childcare service, kindergarten or primary schoolin Victoria.

The onlydocumentation that you can use is a current Immunisation History Statementprovided by the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). The statement shows whether a child is up todate with their immunisations and includes details of the vaccines they havereceived.

You will automatically receive a history statement from AIR when you child turns five years old. However, you can request a statement for children (under 14 years of age) at any time.

There are a number of ways to get an Immunisation History Statement - the quickest is by using your Medicare online account through myGov or Express Plus Medicare mobile app where you can print, download or email a copy.

If you do not have a Medicare online account or you have difficulty getting a copy via your myGov account, you can also:

• phone the Australian Immunisation Register enquiry line on 1800 653 809
• visit your local Medicare or Centrelink office
• phone Council's Immunisation Officer on 5671 2211

Many vaccines are routinely provided free of charge to Australian secondary school students under the National Immunisation Program.

The protection provided by some childhood immunisations fades over time and needs to be boosted in adolescence. Secondary school students are at an age when a vaccine will be most effective and provide protection before possible exposure to a disease.

Immunisation is most commonly given to students through council visits to secondary schools or students can attend a public immunisation session if they are absent from school on the day of immunisations. Parents must return a consent card to the school when requested, providing or refusing their consent.

Further information on the Secondary School immunisations can be found by visiting the Better Health Channel or Immunisation resources for parents and guardians

Some health problems associated with international travel are vaccine preventable.

Travellers should consult a travel medical centre, or their doctor, at least six to 12 weeks before departure for a check-up and to discuss required and recommended vaccinations for specific regions.

The websites below provide information about vaccinations and tips for staying healthy while overseas:

• myvaccination.com.au
• Smartraveller (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
• International travel and health (World Health Organisation)
• Travelers' health (US Center for Disease Control & Prevention)

Please note: we are not a travel vaccination clinic and can not offer advice on travel vaccines for adults or children

If your child's immunisations are not up to date your GP can develop a catch up program with you. Please contact our Immunisation Team if you have questions about a catch up schedule. Please ensure you have a catch up program before you attend a public infant immunisation session. Immunisation catch up programs take time to develop and we cannot develop a program with you during an infant immunisation session.

All parents/guardians planning to enrol their child at childcare or kindergarten in Victoria must provide the service with evidence that their child is:

• fully immunised for their age, or
• on a vaccination catch-up program, or
• unable to be fully immunised for medical reasons.

Your GP or immunisation nurse will determine what vaccines are recommended at what age, what needs to be on a catch-up program and what is considered a valid medical reason not to be fully immunised.

The 'No Jab, No Play' law applies to all early childhood education and care services in Victoria that provide:

• long day care
• kindergarten
• occasional care
• family day care

For more information visit https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/no-jab-no-play

• Australian Government Department of Health
• Better Health Channel
• Vaccine-preventable diseases Factsheets