Department of Health Year 8 vaccination program Important information for parents and students
Contents Why immunise? 1 Vaccination program 1 Schedule of vaccinations 2 Vaccination records 2 Vaccine safety 2 Who should not be vaccinated? 3 What parents need to do 4 Before your child is vaccinated 5 Adolescent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) 6 Diphtheria 6 Tetanus 7 Pertussis (whooping cough) 7 Chickenpox (varicella) 9 Human papillomavirus 11 Care after vaccination 13 Contacts 14
Why immunise? Immunisation protects people from infectious diseases which carry a high risk of serious illness, disability and death. Vaccination triggers the natural immune system to defend against disease. The World Health Organization considers immunisation the most effective medical intervention we have to prevent deaths and reduce disease in our communities. You can read more about immunisation and how it works at the Australian Academy of Science website: science.org.au/policy/immunisation.html Vaccination program The National Immunisation Program provides vaccination to specific groups to protect them against 16 vaccine preventable diseases. These groups include children less than five years of age, year 8 students (12 13 years), Aboriginal people over the age of 15, those medically at risk, and people over 65 years of age. Visit healthywa.wa.gov.au for more about the Western Australian immunisation program. WA Health recommends all year 8 students receive vaccinations to prevent: Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (whooping cough) Chickenpox Human papillomavirus (HPV) These vaccinations are offered free to all year 8 students. WA Health and local community nursing teams will conduct immunisations each term at your child s school. 1
An immunisation consent pack will be issued to each year 8 student to take home to their parent, with information about the diseases protected against, and a consent form. Parents/ guardians must sign the form to indicate whether or not they wish their child to be vaccinated. Schedule of vaccinations 1st visit: Human papillomavirus (HPV) Varicella (chickenpox) 2nd visit: Human papillomavirus (HPV) Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTPa) 3rd/4th visit: Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination records Following vaccination, students will receive a record of vaccination(s) received and instructions about care after vaccination. All vaccines administered through the school based program are recorded in the WA Health schools based data-base. In addition, HPV vaccines administered are recorded in the National HPV vaccination program register: hpvregister.org.au Vaccine safety All vaccines currently available in Australia must pass stringent safety testing before being approved for use. Once in use, vaccines are continually monitored for safety and effectiveness. Like all medications, vaccines can have side effects. Common side effects are mild and only last a short time. They can include local reactions, e.g. soreness at the injection site, feeling unwell for up to 24 hours, slight fever 2
and fatigue. More serious reactions are rare, but anyone who experiences a significant reaction after vaccination should seek medical attention. All immunisation providers in WA are required by law to report adverse reactions. Parents can also report concerns about any serious reactions after vaccination either online: wavss.health.wa.gov.au or by phone (9321 1312, 8.30am-4.30pm) Remember, the risk of developing health complications from disease is higher than the risks of being vaccinated against it. Who should not be vaccinated? In some cases, it is recommended that vaccination be withheld or delayed due to underlying medical conditions. For example, children receiving treatment for other conditions, (such as cancer, or medical conditions that compromise the immune system). Similarly, if a person has had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine in the past, a further dose is not always recommended. However, mild, common illness, such as a cold with a lowgrade fever, should not delay vaccination. 3
What parents/guardians need to do Read the consent form provided by your school carefully and contact your school immunisation nurse if you need more information. Once you have read the information, tick the red or green box to indicate which vaccines you are consenting to, then sign your name in the space provided. You must return the completed form to school, even if you choose not to have your child vaccinated. Only students with a signed, completed form will be vaccinated. You may be contacted by the nurse to clarify information provided. If your child has already received some of the vaccinations, tick the NO/Red box on the front of the consent form. Please note: it is safe for a child who has had prior chickenpox illness to recieve the varicella vaccine. Provide information about any medical problems that may affect your child s response to vaccination on the consent form. School newsletters will advise parents of the vaccination day each term. If your child is absent on vaccination day, contact your school immunisation nurse to arrange another time or visit your GP to receive the vaccines (regular consultation fees apply). If you provided consent, but your child did not receive their vaccination on the day of vaccination, you will be notified via telephone or mail, and alternative options will be offered to enable your child to receive their vaccination. 4
Before your child is vaccinated Let the immunisation nurse, or school know if your child: is unwell at the time of vaccination has had a severe reaction following any vaccination has a severe allergy has had a live vaccine within the last month (e.g. tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, yellow fever) has had an injection of immunoglobulin or a whole blood transfusion in the last three months has a disease that lowers immunity, (e.g. leukaemia, cancer, HIV/AIDS) or is having treatment which lowers immunity (e.g. steroid drugs such as hydrocortisone or prednisolone, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) lives with someone who has a disease that lowers immunity or who is having treatment that lowers immunity. 5
Adolescent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) Children receive a complete course of this combined vaccine (DTPa) as babies (at six to eight weeks, four and six months of age). They also need a booster dose at different periods in their life (four years, 12 to 13 years, 50 years, and 65 years) to maintain immunity and protection against these diseases. Diphtheria Diphtheria is an acute, highly infectious bacterial infection that is passed from person to person through airborne droplets spread by coughing, sneezing or contact with items such as tissues that have been freshly soiled by throat or nose discharge. It takes three to four days for symptoms to appear after exposure and the infected person remains infectious for two weeks. Diphtheria begins as a mild fever; as it progresses the body releases a toxin (poison) which causes a thick grayish white membrane at the back of the throat which makes it difficult to breathe and which may damage heart and nerve cells. 6
Tetanus Tetanus is an acute, often fatal, disease caused by a toxin (poison) produced by bacteria found in soil and manure. The bacteria can enter the body through a wound which may be as small as a pin prick. It takes three to 21 days (usually eight to 12 days) for symptoms to show. Tetanus cannot be passed from person to person. Symptoms include muscle stiffness and spasms, first in the jaw and neck, then later in the back, chest, abdomen and limbs. In severe cases, spasms may affect the whole body causing convulsions, suffocation and heart failure. Pertussis (whooping cough) Pertussis is a highly infectious bacterial infection that is passed from person to person through airborne droplets spread by coughing, or prolonged close contact. After exposure it takes up to 21 days (usually 10 to 15 days) for the symptoms to show. The infected person remains infectious from the onset of symptoms up to three weeks after coughing starts. Serious complications of whooping cough include pneumonia and brain damage. Symptoms begin with a runny nose and persistent bouts of coughing. During a coughing bout, young children may whoop as they breathe in, or vomit. Protection against pertussis both from the disease and the vaccine decreases over time. Therefore a booster dose of pertussis vaccine is recommended for year 8 students to reduce the incidence of pertussis circulating in the community. 7
Possible side effects of adolescent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccination Most side effects are minor and quickly disappear. About one in 10 people have local swelling, redness or pain at injection site, or fever. Booster doses may occasionally be associated with extensive swelling of the limb, but this resolves completely within a few days. If the following reactions occur, it will be soon after the immunisation: Common side effects mild temperature (below 38 C) pain, redness and swelling at the injection site feeling unwell Extremely rare side effects brachial neuritis (severe pain, shoulder and upper arm) severe allergic reaction 8
Chickenpox (varicella) Chickenpox is a common acute viral infection which has a sudden onset. This infection is passed from person to person by coughing, sneezing and direct contact with the fluid in the blisters of the rash. It takes 14 to 16 days for symptoms to appear after exposure and the person is infectious from two days before the rash appears (that is, during the coughing, runny nose stage) until all blisters have formed crusts, usually five days. Symptoms include fever, fatigue and a generalised rash characterised by small blisters. The chickenpox rash (blisters) gradually develops all over the body. It is usually a mild disease of short duration in healthy children; sometimes chickenpox will develop into more severe illness such as bacterial skin infections resulting in scarring, pneumonia or inflammation of the brain. Adults who contract chickenpox generally experience more severe symptoms. Chickenpox may also be a risk to unborn babies if contracted in early pregnancy or at time of delivery. Anyone who has never had chickenpox before can catch it by being in contact with an infected person. Please note: If a child has had chickenpox at 12 and 18 months of age they do not require further vaccination, however if you are not sure whether your child has had the chickenpox vaccine, or the disease, you are advised to vaccinate to ensure they are protected. 9
Possible side effects of chickenpox vaccine About one in five people has a local reaction or fever. About three in 100 may develop a mild rash similar to the chickenpox rash. Serious adverse events are very rare. Most side effects are minor and quickly disappear. If the following reactions occur, it will be soon after the immunisation. Common side effects low grade fever soreness, redness and swelling at the injection site a temporary small lump at the injection site Uncommon side effect A mild chickenpox-like rash may develop in a few children five to 26 days after vaccination In these circumstances the person should avoid immunocompromised people for the duration of the rash. A very mild dose of chickenpox may occur one or more years after vaccination, as the vaccine is not 100 per cent effective in every person. Extremely rare side effect severe allergic reaction Exclusion from school Anyone infected with chickenpox must be excluded from school and social contact or workplace for four days from the time the rash appeared. Blisters must be dry before returning to school to prevent transmission of the virus to others. 10
Human papillomavirus Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name given to a group of viruses that cause skin warts, genital warts and some cancers. HPV is usually without symptoms. Two particular types of HPV are responsible for causing 80 per cent of cervical cancers (cancer of the cervix) in Australia. The HPV vaccine offers protection against these two types. HPV can be transmitted during sex and genital skin-to-skin contact with a person who has the virus. The virus passes through tiny breaks in the skin or mucus membranes. It is not spread through blood or other body fluid and there is no cure for HPV infection. The HPV vaccine is very effective in preventing the main types of HPV infection, and the vaccine is most effective when it is given to students before they are exposed to the virus. All females who have been vaccinated against HPV will still require regular cervical screening (Pap smears) from the age of 18 or within two years of first having sex, whichever is later to ensure that cervical abnormalities caused by other HPV types (not covered by this vaccine) that could lead to cancer are detected early. Possible side effects of the human papillomavirus vaccine Most side effects are minor and quickly disappear. If the following reactions occur, it will be soon after the immunisation. About eight in 10 will have pain and two in 10 will have local swelling, redness or pain at the injection site. Headache, fever, muscle aches and tiredness may occur in three to 10 people. 11
Common side effects soreness, redness and swelling at the injection site itchiness at injection site Less common side effects low grade fever headache joint pain nausea dizziness and weakness feeling unwell Extremely rare side effect severe allergic reaction In 2013: 98,351 doses of HPV vaccine were administered to male students, with a total of 28 adverse reactions reported In 2012: 37,811 doses of HPV vaccine were administered to female students, with a total of 14 adverse reactions reported This represents a reaction rate in both boys and girls of 3.08 per 10,000 doses (or 42 adverse reactions per 136,162 doses), and indicates a very low risk of reaction to HPV vaccination. The most commonly reported reaction was fever (11 cases), fainting (eight cases) and a rash (five cases). A national HPV Vaccination Program Register is maintained by the Australian government. This data will be used for statistical research and policy development purposes, recall for booster doses if required and data listing with the cervical screening program. 12
Care after vaccination The injection site may be red and swollen apply a cool damp cloth. There may be some pain, fever, headache or tiredness. For headache and pain give paracetamol as directed on the label. If fever persists, consult your doctor. Immediately seek medical advice if there is a reaction that you think is serious or unexpected. If your child experiences any significant side effects, please report to: Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) wavss.health.wa.gov.au 24 hours a day 7 days a week or Central Immunisation Clinic tel: 9321 1312 (weekdays 8.30am to 4.30pm). 13
Contacts HealthDirect Australia Tel: 1800 022 222 (24-hour free health advice) Central Immunisation Clinic Tel: 9321 1312 (weekdays 8:30am to 4:30pm) Your local doctor Your local community health centre or public health unit or local hospital More information Department of Health healthywa.wa.gov.au Immunise Australia Program 1800 671 811 or immunise.health.gov.au http:hpv.health.gov.au/for-parents/ National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance: ncirs.edu.au This document can be made available in alternative formats on request for a person with a disability. Produced by Immunisation Program Department of Health 2014 Copyright to this material is vested in the State of Western Australia unless otherwise indicated. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced or re-used for any purposes whatsoever without written permission of the State of Western Australia. IMM-010365 OCT 14