Gold Coast Public Health Unit is providing free vaccinations for all Year 7 students as part of Queensland Health’s annual School Immunisation Program. All Year 7 students are being offered free vaccinations as recommended on the National Immunisation Program to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Year 7 students will be offered human papillomavirus (HPV) and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination.

The Public Health Act 2005 authorises school principals to disclose student and parent information to Gold Coast Health, the school immunisation provider, so it can follow up with the parents/legal guardians of students who do not return a consent form.

If you do not submit an immunisation form, you may be contacted by the Gold Coast Public Health immunisation team to check that you have been offered the opportunity for your child to participate in the free program.

On the 23rd March, 2021, you should have received an email from admin.immunisegc@health.qld.gov.au. If you haven’t received this email you can email the above address, phone 1800 940750 or collect a paper consent pack from the College Administration Office. You will need to complete a consent form even if you do not wish to have your child vaccinated.

Please read the information included carefully, and complete and submit the online consent form to advise if you do or do not wish your child to be vaccinated at school. Alternatively, there are a small number of paper consent packs available from the College Administration Office. These will need to be returned to the school.

The immunisations will be conducted by a team of experienced registered immunisation program nurses. Parents/legal guardian/authorised persons are encouraged to ensure their children have breakfast on the morning of vaccination.

For more information about diseases, vaccines or the School Immunisation Program, visit https://www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/our-services/immunisation or phone 1800 940 750.