COVID 19 school vaccination Information for parents/guardians

NSW Health has been working with education authorities so that school vaccination can be offered as school-based learning returns.

Program background

In 2021 NSW Health is offering the following vaccines:

Vaccine YearNumber of doses
Human papillomavirus (HPV) Year 7 2 doses at least 6 months apart
​Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (dTpa) Year 7 ​1 dose
Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) Year 10 1 dose

While the school vaccination program has been disrupted due to remote learning in some areas, vaccination clinics are being rescheduled as students return to school.

COVID-19 safety measures

NSW Health has implemented additional measures based on expert clinical advice to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission in school clinics, including:

  • nurses vaccinated against COVID-19
  • health screening of nurses before clinics
  • pre-vaccination screening of students 
  •  physical distancing restrictions at the clinic entrance & observation area
  • ensuring the number of students and nurses at the clinic does not exceed the maximum space allowed
  • enhanced hand hygiene & environmental cleaning of all surfaces

What parents/guardians should do

There is no need for parents/guardians who have given consent for their child to receive vaccinations at school to take any action, except to:

  • contact the school to withdraw consent for HPV, dTpa or MenACWY vaccination if any of these vaccines have been given at the GP
  • ensure that students with influenza-like symptoms do not attend school and are tested as soon as possible. Refer to symptoms and diagnosis of COVID-19, and how testing works.
  • note that there is a minimum dosing interval of 7 days between any routine school vaccinations (HPV, dTpa and Meningococcal ACWY) and any dose of a COVID-19 vaccine

When students will be vaccinated

Vaccinations will be offered to consented students as soon as possible as clinics are rescheduled at your child's school, noting that catch-up vaccination can be offered at school at any time in 2021 or 2022 if necessary. You will be advised if your child cannot be vaccinated at school and recommended to arrange vaccination with your GP or another immunisation provider.

More information

Information about school vaccination during COVID-19 is available at NSW School Vaccination Program 2021.

Current as at: Thursday 7 October 2021
Contact page owner: Immunisation