Parents of high school students on the Sunshine Coast and in Gympie are being urged to sign school immunisation consent forms for World Immunisation Week.
The reminder comes after a decline in the number of Year 7 students receiving the whooping cough (pertussis) booster vaccination.
Local uptake of the booster as part of the School Immunisation Program decreased from 74% in 2017 to 47% in 2024, with preliminary figures indicating a similar uptake for last year.
Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit Nurse and School Immunisation Program Coordinator Holly Whitfield said it’s important more students receive the immunisation to protect themselves and the community.
Whooping cough affects people of all ages, often presenting as a runny nose, sneezing and a mild dry cough that can linger for weeks or months.
Year 7 students are offered the combined vaccine for diptheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough), as well as the Human Papillomavirus vaccine. Year 10 students are offered the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine and the Meningococcal B vaccine.
Consent forms have gone online for Sunshine Coast schools this year, making it even easier for parents to sign.
Emails with links to the consent forms and information are sent out in Term One, so parents should check their inbox, if they haven’t already filled them out.
In Gympie, paper consent forms are sent home with students so it’s important parents check school bags for any forgotten forms and talk to their kids.
Clinics are run throughout the year and parents will be advised of their child’s immunisation date ahead of time.
“It’s really important parents sign these forms when they receive them, to make sure the vaccination clinic can benefit as many students as possible,” Holly said.
“We know there can be a lot of school forms at times, but taking up the school immunisation clinic is the easiest and quickest way to make sure your child is protected.”
“Parents should also chat with their kids about why they’re getting the vaccine and what to expect at the clinic.”
“Some students worry about privacy or fear of needles, so make sure your child understands they’ll be seen by a nurse in a calm and private area,” she said.
If your child is unwell or absent on their immunisation day, they can attend their GP or book into catch-up immunisation clinics run by their school immunisation provider.
