School and adolescent immunisations

Maroondah City Council in collaboration with schools, coordinates and administers adolescent vaccinations at schools within Maroondah to support a healthy community and ensure our adolescents are protected from vaccine preventable diseases and cancers.

As part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP), school students in Year 7 & 10 receive free vaccinations.

Adolescents (up to 19 years or 25 years for HPV) who are not attending secondary school are also eligible for these vaccinations. If you have missed any of these vaccines, you can attend our catch up immunisation session.

You may also wish to visit your GP.

Please note: The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care has announced that from 6 February 2023, Australia will change its schedule for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) from 2 doses of vaccine to 1 dose for most people. Significant immunocompromising conditions require a 3 dose course.

The NIP eligibility age for catch-up/missed vaccination will also increase from 19 to 25 years of age

Most people who have had a single dose of vaccine are now considered fully vaccinated for and protected from HPV and do not need to receive a second dose.

Year 7 students (12 to 13 years)

  • 1 dose - Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Vaccine (Boostrix)
  • 1 dose* - Human Papilloma Virus (Gardasil) 

Year 10 students (14 to 16 years)

  • 1 dose Meningococcal ACWY (Nimenrix)

Further information on these vaccines can be found on Victorian Health Department websites:

Unsure if you have had these vaccines?

The Australian Immunisation Register keeps a record of the vaccinations. They receive reports from all immunisation providers. 

You can check your immunisation status by:

  • Logging onto myGov
  • Logging onto Medicare
  • Logging onto Centrelink
  • Contacting the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809.

More information

School immunisation dates - 2024

School

Date

Year Level

Yarra Valley Grammar Wednesday 20 March Year 7 & 10
Melba Secondary College Tuesday 16 April Year 7 &10
Tintern Grammar Wednesday 24 April Year 7 & 10
Heathmont College Wednesday 1 May Year 7 & 10
Norwood Secondary College Tuesday 7 May Year 7
Croydon Community School Monday 13 May Year 7 & 10
Croydon Special Development School Wednesday 15 May Year 7 & 10
Ringwood Secondary College Tuesday 4 June  Year 7
Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School Monday 12 August Year 7 & 10
Norwood Secondary College Tuesday 16 July Year 10
Aquinas College Tuesday 30 July Year 7
Ringwood Secondary College Tuesday 6 August Year 10
Luther College Tuesday 13 August Year 7 & 10
Aquinas College Tuesday 27 August Year 10

Tips for carers and students

Some older children can get very concerned about the thought of having a vaccination at school. It is important to talk to them about the importance of immunisation. Explain how it will provide them with a lifetime of protection against diseases.

On the day

  • Ensure the student has a good breakfast.
  • Ensure clothing is worn that is suitable for the upper arm/s to be exposed.
  • Ensure the student is feeling well on the day.
  • More than one injection may be given on the day – this will not increase risk of side effects.

Helpful resources

See videos below for what to expect for year 7 students:

See videos below for what to expect for year 10 students:

Possible side effects of vaccination

After a vaccine, you or your child may experience side effects as listed on the consent form.

If the side effects do not appear consistent with common mild side effects, it is recommended you contact your GP for medical advice. 

You can report these side effect via the SAFEVIC website.

Missed your adolescent or school vaccination?

If you have missed your adolescent vaccination or the vaccinations held at school, you can attend a public immunisation session to catch up on your adolescent vaccinations.  

Book online on CIRV

To book an appointment for yourself or for your family on CIRV, you will be requested to create a secure account to use the portal for the first time. This will allow us to link your CIRV account to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and successively upload your or your family’s immunisation records.

To create an account, you will require: 

  • your email address
  • access to your nominated email account
  • Medicare card details (if available)

For more information or for help using the online immunisation booking system, please call our Community Health team on 03 9294 5603.

Information for schools

Information to assist schools to coordinate the secondary school vaccination program with Councils can be found on the Department of Health website.

Queries or concerns

If you have any queries or concerns before or after the school vaccinations, please feel free to contact Maroondah Community Health on 9294 5603.

Further information

Vaccines for adolescents

Fact Sheet

Animated video

Social story

Translated information for Year 7 students

Translated information for Year 10 vaccine MenACWY