ACIR Immunisation History Statement for School Enrolment in NSW
Q. When is the Immunisation History Statement issued by the ACIR?Q. What can a parent do if they have not received a History Statement or believe that the History Statement they have received is not up to date?
Q. What if a parent refuses to provide a History Statement?
Q. How do I tell if the child is fully immunised?
Q. Are vaccines which are administered as part of a school-based vaccination program recorded on the ACIR?
Q. Can the History Statement be accepted by schools if the child is not fully immunised?
Q. Where can a parent get another copy of the History Statement?
Q. Can schools photocopy the original History Statement?
Q. Are primary schools required to forward the History Statement to the child's high school?
Q. Do schools need to transfer the History Statement when a child moves to another primary school?
Q. How long do schools need to retain the Statements?
Q. What if the parent provides the school with a record of vaccines given overseas?
The Immunisation History Statement which is issued by the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) is required by schools as proof of immunisation status for enrolment at school under the NSW Public Health Act 1991.
The following Questions and Answers may clarify some issues.
Q. When is the Immunisation History Statement issued by the ACIR?
A. The ACIR will send the Immunisation History Statement to the parent automatically after a child has received their 4 year old immunisations and after the service provider has sent the information to the ACIR or when the child turns 5 years of age (whichever occurs first). Parents who do not receive a History Statement after these events should contact the ACIR on 1800 653 809
Q. What can a parent do if they have not received a History Statement or believe that the History Statement they have received is not up to date?
A. The parent should ring the ACIR on 1800 653 809 to check the child's status and request another History Statement.
Q. What if a parent refuses to provide a History Statement?
A. A parent can refuse to provide a History Statement however, their child will be classified as un-immunised and may be excluded from school if there is an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease in the school.
Q. How do I tell if the child is fully immunised?
A. If the child has received all the vaccines required by 5 years of age, the History Statement will have the following wording in the purple area at the bottom of the form - "This child has received all vaccines required by 5 years of age".
Q. Are vaccines which are administered as part of a school-based vaccination program recorded on the ACIR?
A. No. Vaccines which are administered at school are not recorded on the ACIR and this does not affect whether a child is recorded as fully immunised by 5 years of age on the History Statement.
Q. Can the History Statement be accepted by schools if the child is not fully immunised?
A. Yes, schools can accept the History Statement however the parent should be informed that children who are not fully immunised may be excluded from school for their own protection if there is an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease in the school.
Q. Where can a parent get another copy of the History Statement?
A. Parents can request another copy of the History Statement by calling the ACIR on 1800 653 809.
Q. Can schools photocopy the original History Statement?
A. Yes, if school staff are happy to do so, a photocopy can be retained by the school.
Q. Are primary schools required to forward the History Statement to the child's high school?
A. No. The school entry immunisation requirements under the NSW Public Health Act 1991 only apply to primary schools.
Q. Do schools need to transfer the History Statement when a child moves to another primary school?
A. Yes, the History Statement needs to be transferred with the child's records to another primary school only. Immunisation records are not required by high schools.
Q. How long do schools need to retain the Statements?
A. Primary schools need to retain the Statements for two years after the child has left the school ie to enter high school.
Q. What if the parent provides the school with a record of vaccines given overseas?
A. The parent should be advised to consult a local doctor who can assess whether the child needs any additional vaccines. The doctor will then transfer the information to the ACIR.
