Secondary school and adolescent vaccinations

Consent for each vaccine must be provided by parents, guardians, or other medical treatment decision-makers for students to receive free vaccinations at school.

Your child’s secondary school will forward a unique link or QR code for booking on our online booking platform, Vitavo. Consent is required prior to the immunisation day. 

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.

Some useful tips for preparing older children for school-based immunisations include:

• giving them a good breakfast
• making sure they wear a loose shirt (PE uniforms are recommended)
• ensure they are feeling well on the day
• making sure they let the teacher or nurse know if they are feeling nervous or unwell.

If your child has questions or is reluctant about getting vaccinated, the Cancer Council Victoria External link offers information and videos that may be helpful.

If your child missed us or was absent on the school visit, you are welcome to book in and have the immunisations at any of our community sessions. Alternatively, you can also have these with a GP or pharmacist. 

We are also happy to immunise any child who may not prefer to be immunised in the school setting and can have this at any of our private community immunisation sessions. 

Book an immunisation External link 

You can email us at schools@melbourne.vic.gov.au if you have any questions or would like more information about secondary school immunisations. 

Years 10, 11 and 12 Meningococcal B vaccine (not funded) is offered to secondary schools within City of Melbourne.

Some schools choose to participate in this program.

All meningococcal germs (bacteria) can cause swelling (inflammation) around the brain (meningitis) and blood poisoning (bacteria in the blood, also called septicaemia).

Meningococcal germs live harmlessly in the mucous found in a person’s nose and throat. When people cough or kiss, germs can spread from one person to another. Rarely, they make their way into the body and cause meningococcal disease, which can be fatal. Adolescents who survive meningococcal disease can have brain damage or other long-term problems, like severe scars, deafness, or arms or legs that need to be removed by surgery (amputation).

To learn more about meningococcal disease, visit Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation External link.

Meningococcal vaccination is strongly recommended for all adolescents at 14-16years of age (year 10 or age equivalent). Only one meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) is funded in Victoria. Two doses of a different meningococcal vaccine (Men B) are also strongly recommended, but the National Immunisation Program or the Victorian State does not fund these. 

A course of Meningococcal B requires 2 doses (with a minimum 8-week gap), and our service will attend the school twice during the year to administer this to participating students.

If your child attends a participating school, they will provide you with the required information and links to the consent form. You can then book and pay online for these vaccine doses.

If students are absent or attend a non-participating school, they are welcome to attend any of our community sessions to access this vaccine.

Book a community vaccine session External link