Last week, the Gold Coast Public Health visited FSSC to administer the second round of HPV vaccination [NOT COVID] for our Year 7 students. Our Year 7's put on some brave faces and did very well.

Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, is a common virus that affects both males and females. The vaccine protects against 9 types of HPV that are the most common causes of cervical cancer and genital warts in Australia.

If your child missed their school HPV immunisation, The Gold Coast Public Health unit will be in contact with you with information. If needing to follow up, they can be contacted here:

Gold Coast Public Health Unit

T: 1800 940 750

E: admin.immunisegc@health.qld.gov.au

W: www.health.qld.gov.au/immuniseGC

Alternate means of catching up the HPV vaccination include:

• at a free community immunisation clinic (if offered by your local council or immunisation service provider)
• by your doctor - Year 7 will be eligible for catch-up vaccinations before they turn 20 years of age. After this time, vaccines need to be purchased via private prescription.

The vaccine will be free, however you may be charged a consultation fee by your doctor or immunisation provider. It is important to have your child vaccinated in the same year the vaccine is offered in the school program.