Better access to immunisation for Armidale students

01 April 2010

High school students from Armidale, Uralla, Guyra and Walcha will again have the opportunity to be immunised against a range of infections this year.

Armidale Community Health and schools around the region are working in a partnership to provide immunisation during school time.

Students will be offered the Boostrix vaccination which gives protection against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough and chicken pox and Hepatitis B.

Year 7 girls are also offered the three-dose course of Gardasil vaccine which protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV) – a virus which causes 70 per cent of all cervical cancers.

Armidale Community Health Immunisation Nurse Kay Morris said it was important parents read and understood the importance of having their teenager immunised.

“Immunisation is one vital way we can protect our children from debilitating viruses and conditions such as HPV, which can cause serious health issues later in life, such as cervical cancer,” Ms Morris said.

“It’s important parents carefully consider agreeing to their children being immunised and fill in the permission forms correctly to ensure their child can be put on our school immunisation schedule.”

Ms Morris said now is also the perfect time for all Armidale residents to make an appointment to see your GP for a vaccination against H1N1 (swine) influenza, as well as seasonal influenza.

“H1N1 flu is particularly dangerous in certain groups who are more vulnerable to influenza than others,” Ms Morris said. “These groups include people who have chronic medical conditions such as chronic kidney, liver, heart or lung conditions (including asthma), people with diabetes, Aboriginal people, pregnant women, people who are very overweight and people living in isolated communities.

“Talk to your GP about immunisation,” Ms Morris said. “If you are over 65-years-old or of Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander decent and you don’t have a GP you can have the swine flu or seasonal Influenza vaccine at Armidale Community Health.”

Armidale Community Health also offers a free immunisation service to children between 0 and 4-years-old. If you are not sure if your baby or toddler is vaccinated or if you’ve lost your child’s immunisation record book Kay can assist you in obtaining these records, so immunisation can be completed.

If you would like more information about immunisation or the school immunisation program contact Kay Morris at Armidale Community Health on (02) 6776 9897.

Contact: Emma Gibbs

Phone: (02) 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767