Secondary School Immunisations 2026

Free vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program are offered to secondary students at school through the Shire of Wattle Creek Immunisation Service, whose nurses visit the College three times a year. Vaccines are given in the Wellbeing Centre and Sick Bay with a nurse, a College first-aid officer and a Homeroom teacher present. Parents do not need to attend. This page sets out the 2026 program for Year 7 and Year 10.

2026 program at a glance

Round 2 begins at 9:00am on Thursday 17 September 2026 and usually finishes by 12:30pm; students are called from class by Homeroom group. It is also Junior School Footy Colours Day, but Senior students wear normal winter uniform.

Consent — the council cards

The Immunisation Service requires a signed consent card for each vaccine, even if you intend to decline (a "no" card helps the nurses close the record).

• Consent cards for Year 7 Round 2 were sent home in Homeroom on Monday 17 August 2026 with families whose children have not yet been vaccinated at school. Spare cards are available at the Senior Office.
• Complete the card in blue or black pen, including Medicare number, and return it to the Homeroom teacher or Senior Office by Friday 4 September 2026. Cards cannot be accepted on the day.
• If your child has already received these vaccines through a GP, please tick already received and provide the date; this updates the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
• A parent or guardian must sign. Students under 15 cannot consent for themselves at school sessions.
• Consent can be withdrawn at any time before the session by phoning the Senior Office on (03) 9555 0100 or the Immunisation Service on (03) 9555 0170.

The council will also mail a reminder to families of Year 7 students with no record on the AIR two weeks before the session.

Which vaccines and why

• HPV (human papillomavirus) — protects against the viruses that cause most cervical, throat and other cancers. Since 2023 a single dose is recommended for most adolescents.
• dTpa — a booster for diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis), which wanes after the childhood doses.
• Meningococcal ACWY (Year 10) — protects against four strains of meningococcal disease, which peaks in older teenagers.

The Meningococcal B vaccine is not part of the school program in Victoria; families who wish to have it should speak to their GP. Students who missed the Year 10 session in May can be vaccinated free by their GP or at a council community session — see the council website via the Medical Forms and Health page.

On the day — what to eat and how to prepare

Nurses see fainting far more often than allergic reactions, and almost every faint is a student who skipped breakfast or is dehydrated.

• Eat a proper breakfast and bring a snack and a full water bottle.
• Wear a short-sleeved shirt or a top with sleeves that roll up easily under the jumper (vaccines are given in the upper arm).
• Students who feel anxious can tell their Homeroom teacher beforehand; a friend can accompany them and they can be vaccinated lying down.
• After vaccination, students sit in the recovery area for 15 minutes with a snack before returning to class.
• Normal PE and sport can continue that day; heavy training that afternoon is best avoided if the arm is sore.

A student who is unwell with a fever on the day will not be vaccinated and will be offered the next council session. Students who have had a vaccine in the previous seven days should mention this to the nurse.

Afterwards

Mild side effects — a sore arm, tiredness, a headache — are common for a day or two and can be managed with rest, fluids and paracetamol if needed. Redness or swelling at the site is normal. Please contact your GP if a fever lasts more than 48 hours or if you are worried. Serious reactions are very rare; nurses carry adrenaline and the College first-aid officers are trained in anaphylaxis response.

A record of each vaccination is uploaded to the AIR within a week and appears in your Medicare app or myGov. Immunisation History Statements for Year 7 enrolment (required under the Victorian No Jab, No Play/School arrangements) are collected by the Registrar at enrolment and updated from the AIR.

Students with medical conditions

If your child has a bleeding disorder, is immunocompromised, has had a previous reaction to a vaccine or is pregnant, note this on the consent card and the nurse will phone you before the session. Please also make sure the Parent Portal medical record is current — see Medication and First Aid and Anaphylaxis and Allergy Aware.

Questions about the school program: Senior Office (03) 9555 0100. Questions about vaccines themselves: Shire of Wattle Creek Immunisation Service (03) 9555 0170 or your GP.