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Year 10 student vaccinations

Year 10 students are offered a free meningococcal ACWY vaccine, which protects against four different strains of the meningococcal bacteria.

One dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine is all that’s required.

About meningococcal ACWY

Consent

Parent or guardian consent is needed for Year 10 school vaccinations. The consent card gets sent out at the start of Term 3.

Find, sign and return it to school even if you don't consent for your teen to receive these vaccines at school.

Read the information on the consent card carefully before you sign.

If you don't consent

You should still complete and return the consent card.

If you can't find the card

You should:

Printing the card

If you are printing the consent card, print it on both sides of one piece of paper and give this to your school, rather than scanning it.

Withdrawing consent

You can withdraw consent at any time. Call the Child and Adolescent Immunisation Team on 02 5124 1585 to speak to a registered nurse to withdraw your consent to the school program.

More information

Go to the Canberra Health Services to read more about:

  • why your teen should get vaccinated
  • why the vaccine is given to Year 10 students
  • if your teen has previously had the meningococcal C or meningococcal B vaccine
  • your year 10 student consenting to vaccination.

Visit the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care for more information about the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

Home-schooled teens

Teenagers who are home-schooled can access the free vaccine through their family doctor or participating pharmacies. A consultation fee may apply.

Homestay students

Year 10 homestay students can receive the free meningococcal ACWY vaccine at school as part of the National Immunisation Program.

There are 2 options for homestay students.

At school

A Year 10 homestay student who would like to receive this vaccine at school may be able to consent for themselves. The nurse will assess if the student is able to fully understand the risks, benefits and side effects of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine prior to written consent being given.

Before the School Health Team visit the school, we encourage both the homestay parent and the student to read through the vaccine information together.

At the general practitioner

A homestay student can have this vaccine at their family doctor or participating pharmacies.

The vaccination must be completed before the student’s 20th birthday for the vaccine to remain free. A consultation fee may apply.