Vaccinations are being made available to our students in the Senior School. Please read the message from Queensland Health.

Dear Parent,

This year the free school vaccine programme for Year 7 students will be providing two vaccines.

1. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

HPV is a very common infectious disease and most children (more than 80 per cent) will have a HPV infection at some time in their lives. Most HPV infections do not cause any symptoms and people usually do not know they have the infection.

However, in around 10 to 20 per cent of people, the virus persists in the body and in later life is an important cause of a range of cancers and other conditions. As well as causing many genital cancers, the virus is a major cause of mouth and throat cancers which are on the increase in recent years. It can also cause tumours in the air passages to the lungs.

Both boys and girls benefit from this vaccine, with some cancers being more common in males and others in females. One third of all HPV related cancers occur in boys.

Children will receive two doses of this vaccine during the year.

2. Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (whooping cough) Vaccine (dTpa)

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory disease resulting in a severe cough that may last for months. Infection in adolescents is common. Complications include pneumonia, coma, brain damage and long-term lung damage.

Vaccines given against pertussis in childhood do not provide lifelong protection. Infected persons can pass disease on to vulnerable others including babies and the elderly. In order for your child to be protected you must complete the on-line consent form by clicking here.

For more information on the programme, click on the information under the Resource section.

If you have trouble with the forms please ring the Immunisation team on 1800 940750.

If you have concerns about these vaccines please contact me on paul.vanbuynder@health.qld.gov.au

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