The Secondary School Immunisation Program (SSIP) offers free vaccines as part of the National Immunisation each year to students aged 12-13 years (Year 7 or age equivalent) and 14-16 years (Year 10 or age equivalent).
The dosing schedule for the HPV vaccine has changed from 2 doses to a single dose for most people from February 2023. The schedule has not changed for immunocompromised people.
Students will have the opportunity to receive the following vaccine:
| Vaccine | Year offered at school | Vaccine brand and information |
|---|---|---|
| HPV (human papillomavirus) | Year 7 | |
| Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) | Year 7 | Vaccine brand: More information on Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and available |
| Meningococcal ACWY | Year 10 |
Role of secondary schools
In Victoria, local council immunisation providers with the support of secondary schools administer the majority of vaccinations due in adolescence through their provision of the secondary school immunisation program.
The role of schools is to:
- communicate with students and parents or guardians, teachers, and the wider school community about adolescent immunisation
- appoint a school immunisation coordinator to liaise with the council immunisation service
- support the distribution and collection of all immunisation consent forms
- send student and parent or guardian information to the council as permitted by the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations
- ensure appropriate resources and environments are available for the program to run safely and effectively on vaccination day
The Secondary School Immunisation Program - A guide for schools is a resource that supports schools to deliver the SSIP:
Key dates for schools
Week of 28 January – distribute a Collection Statement to parents/guardians of all students in Years 7 and Year 10.
February – record any objections from parents/guardians who do not wish for their contact details to be provided to local council.
28 February – transfer contact details to local council as soon as possible after census date, edited as per parent/guardian requests. If student data is confirmed prior to 28 February it may be sent earlier to assist local councils to prepare for the SSIP.
Refer to the data extraction instructions, relevant to your school software program. If you have issues with data extraction and can't resolve them with your IT or software service provider, email immunisation@health.vic.gov.au
Students who missed vaccination at school
Some students may need to complete their adolescent vaccinations in the following school year to ensure they are vaccinated in a timely manner. The council immunisation service will advise parents or guardians and work with your school to deliver any catch-up vaccines to students. Written consent provided by parents or guardians the year before remains valid the following year.
Students can also receive catch-up vaccines with their GP or a participating authorised Pharmacist Immuniser.
Downloads
The following resources have been developed to support councils and schools to work together and to equip schools with the tools and information they require to assist local councils in the delivery the secondary school immunisation program.
Reviewed 12 September 2023