Secondary School Immunisation Program

What is human papillomavirus?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name given to a group of viruses that affect both females and males. It is very common to be infected with one or more types of HPV shortly after sexual activity starts. While the body usually clears HPV infection naturally and there are no symptoms, HPV can cause serious illness; including almost all cervical cancers, cancers of the genital area and 60% of cancers of the mouth and throat.

What are the benefits of receiving the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine GARDASIL®9 protects against nine high risk HPV types that can cause cell abnormality and certain cancers. The benefits of HPV vaccines are greatest when given before exposure to the virus. If a vaccinated person comes into contact with these infections, their immune system is able to respond more effectively, preventing the disease developing or greatly reducing its severity. This is why we give the vaccine to young people in early high school before they become sexually active.

How is the vaccine given?

The HPV Gardasil®9 vaccine is given as a single injection into the upper arm for most people.

Some adolescents need a three-dose course of Gardasil®9 vaccine. Three doses of Gardasil®9 vaccine is recommended for:

• a person who has a disease or is having treatment which causes low immunity (for example HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or significant immunosuppressive treatment).

If a three dose course is required, see your GP or a local council immunisation service.

How safe is the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is safe and well tolerated. Vaccines used in Australia are safe and must pass strict safety testing before being approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). In addition, the TGA monitors the safety of vaccines once they are in use. Side effects after receiving the HPV vaccine are usually only very mild.

Will cervical screening tests be needed later in life?

Regular cervical screening (previously called a Pap smear) is still important for vaccinated women and people with a cervix, as the HPV vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.

What is Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial disease that causes inflammation of the nose, throat and trachea (windpipe). The bacteria produce toxins that cause an abnormal membrane to grow in the throat, making it difficult to swallow, breathe and can even lead to suffocation.

The bacteria produce a poison which can spread around the body and cause serious complications such as paralysis and heart failure. Around 10 per cent of people who contract diphtheria die from it.

Diphtheria can be caught when you inhale the cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person.

What is Tetanus?

Tetanus is caused by bacteria which are live in soils, dust and manure. The bacteria can enter the body through a wound which may be as small as a pin prick. Tetanus cannot be passed from person to person.

Tetanus is a serious disease that causes muscle spasms and breathing problems. The bacteria produce toxins that affect the nervous system. It causes muscle spasms first felt in the neck and jaw muscles. Tetanus can lead to breathing difficulties, painful convulsions and abnormal heart rhythms. Around one in 10 people infected with the bacterium that causes tetanus will die.

Tetanus is uncommon in Australia because of the widespread use of the tetanus vaccine. Adolescents who have not been immunised against tetanus or who have not had a booster are at risk.

What is Whooping cough?

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease which affects the air passages and breathing. The disease causes severe coughing spasms. Coughing spasms are often followed by vomiting and the cough can last for months.

Whooping cough can be caught when you inhale the cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person.

Protection against whooping cough both from the disease and the vaccine decreases over time. Therefore, a booster dose of whooping cough vaccine is recommended for adolescents aged between 12 and 13 years to maintain immunity into adulthood.

How safe is the vaccine?

The diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough booster vaccine contains a small amount of diphtheria and tetanus toxins which are modified to make them harmless, small parts of purified components of whooping cough, a small amount of aluminium salt and preservative.

This booster vaccine has lower concentrations particularly of diphtheria and whooping cough components compared with the children’s vaccine.

The vaccine is safe and well tolerated in adolescents. This combination vaccine can be given at least 4 weeks after a recent tetanus-containing vaccine is given.

Why is a booster dose required?

Adolescents need a booster dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine to extend the protective level of diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough immunity into early adulthood.

How is the vaccine given?

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are only available in Australia as a combination vaccine.

The diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough booster vaccine consists of a single injection given into the upper arm.

What is Meningococcal disease?

Meningococcal disease occurs when meningococcal bacteria, commonly found in the nose or throat, invades the body and causes serious disease. Older teenagers and young adults are most likely to carry the bacteria and spread it to others.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a rare but serious disease. It most commonly presents as septicaemia (infection in the blood, also known as ‘bacteraemia’) or meningitis, (inflammation of the membrane covering of the brain). Occasionally, severe infection can also occur in the joints, throat, lungs or intestines.

Although the majority of people will recover if the infection is diagnosed early, the disease can cause complications that may result in permanent disabilities through loss of limbs, deafness, blindness, scarring, kidney or liver failure. Death can occur in up to 10 per cent of cases.

Globally, meningococcal serogroups A, B, C, W and Y most commonly cause disease. Vaccination is the key prevention against meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine

The Meningococcal ACWY vaccine, Nimenrix®, is a four-in-one combined vaccine for protection against meningococcal A, C, W, Y strains.

Studies have shown that this vaccine can provide up to 97 per cent immunity in adolescents.

How safe is the vaccine?

Meningococcal ACWY vaccines have been shown to be safe in multiple large population studies (conducted in countries after the vaccines became available) in people of different ages, from infants to adults. Most reactions after vaccination are mild and resolve on their own. The vaccine does not contain any live bacteria and cannot cause meningococcal disease.

How is the vaccine given?

The Meningococcal ACWY vaccination is a single injection administered into the upper arm.