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School-based immunisation program

The school-based immunisation program (SBIP) is part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and offers all adolescent students the opportunity to be protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Since 6 February 2023, adolescents aged 12-13 years only need one dose of Gardasil®9 human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated. This advice follows the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) (external site) that a single dose of this vaccine gives optimal protection.

School year Vaccine Disease information

7
Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) – 1 dose

Diphtheria (HealthyWA)

Tetanus (HealthyWA)

Pertussis (whooping cough)


7
HPV (human papillomavirus) – 1 dose

HPV/genital warts

HPV and vaccination (external site)

Factsheet: Is HPV vaccine safe?

Study: 11 years of HPV vaccine safety

10
Meningococcal ACWY – 1 dose
Meningococcal infection

Ages 12-18 years
COVID-19 – dose as required
COVID-19

Vaccination program information and consent

Consent for vaccinations by parents/guardians and adolescents is required, provided through an online system VaccinateWA (external site) or by completion and return of the immunisation consent form provided by the school. If the online system is not accessible, parents can request a copy from their school or print out a hard copy form.

Refer to the school-based immunisation program webpage (HealthyWA) for VaccinateWA instructions, vaccine information fact sheets, translated resources, and more.

Catch-up vaccinations

If students miss their vaccine at school, they are eligible to receive government funded catch-up vaccines from their community immunisation clinic or participating GPs, pharmacists, Aboriginal Medical Services (the vaccine is free, however some organisations may charge a service fee).

Catch-up vaccination should occur as soon as possible, however:

  • If dTpa and MenACWY vaccination has been missed, young people remain eligible for catch-up until they turn 20 years of age.
  • If HPV vaccination has been missed, only one dose is now required before 26 years of age to be considered fully vaccinated (except for those who are immunocompromised). The catch-up age has been increased from 19 years of age to include those up to and including 25 years of age.

Refer to catch-up vaccination on the Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site) for more information.

Resources

The following resources have been developed to support schools and councils to work together as they deliver the school-based immunisation program:

Further tools and information can also be developed to support communication to parents about the program.

Contact

Last reviewed: 16-02-2023
Produced by

Public Health

wa.gov.au