Calls for State to Take Over School Vaccination Programs After Consent Breach

Following an incident where a student was vaccinated without caregiver consent, a Tasmanian mayor and the state's local government association are calling for the state government to assume responsibility for school-based immunization programs. The call cites concerns over system reliability, financial burden on councils, and a legislative framework unique to Tasmania and Victoria.

The Incident and Response

A student in the West Tamar Council area received a vaccination without parental or caregiver consent through a council-coordinated school immunization program.

In response, the West Tamar Council stated it made all required mandatory referrals to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) after becoming aware of the incident. The council has cited privacy laws as the reason it cannot provide further comment on the specific case.

Current System and Financial Context

Under Tasmania's Public Health Act 1997, local councils are required to develop and implement school immunization programs. According to the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT), Tasmania and Victoria are the only Australian states where this responsibility falls to local government.

The West Tamar Council's program provides vaccinations against human papillomavirus (HPV) and meningococcal ACWY. The council reports the program costs approximately $20,000 annually to operate, with about $5,000 reimbursed by Tasmania's Department of Health.

Calls for Change and Official Positions

West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl has described the current system as not "foolproof" and stated that the financial arrangement represents "cost-shifting onto our ratepayers" for what she considers a state government responsibility.

Mayor Holmdahl has stated that if councils are required to continue running the programs, they should be "adequately compensated for the service."

The Local Government Association of Tasmania is calling for modification of the Public Health Act 1997. Mayor Holmdahl reported that a majority of councils at a recent LGAT meeting supported a motion on this issue, and that a letter will be written to Tasmanian Health Minister Bridget Archer.

Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent stated he is open to discussions with councils to better understand their concerns. Minister Vincent noted that immunization is important to the community and must be done "efficiently and properly."

Program Administration

The West Tamar Council employs "authorised immunisers," typically nurse practitioners, to administer vaccines. The council previously used employed nurses and contracted providers but switched to a third-party provider contract last year.

Tasmania's Department of Health has been contacted for comment on the matter.