Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Bass Coast Local News

Focus On Teenager Health

Bass Coast high school students should be a pretty healthy bunch, if Council’s Immunisation team has their way.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 2nd November 2007 - Back to News

For many parents, the focus of immunisation is on young children. But making sure immunisations are up-to-date for teenagers is equally important.

"Teenagers face a higher risk than young children of contracting severe Chicken Pox and Hepatitis B, for which there is no cure," said Council’s Environmental Health Officer, Carl Gheller.

"Running sessions through the high schools means the students can be immunised in a safely monitored location.

"And it’s also a big help to parents."

This collaborative effort between schools and councils means a high proportion of teenagers are fully immunised.

"The benefits of this are not just for teenagers," explained Mr Gheller.

"An effective Immunisation Program can reduce the incidence and spread of diseases throughout the whole community."

The Immunisation Schedule, recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council, is designed to protect teenagers against the most prevalent threats. These include Hepatitis B, Chicken Pox, Whooping Cough, Diphtheria and Tetanus.

"This year we have also commenced the rollout of the Gardasil program to protect teenage girls against cervical cancer," said Mr Gheller.

"This is a federally funded program that involves three separate immunisations over a six month period for each girl.

"It has been a challenge to work these sessions in and around school holidays and end-of-year exams."

Mr Gheller urged parents to make sure their children’s immunisation was up-to-date.

"If your child falls behind with their immunisations, you can look at a ‘catch up’ program," advised Mr Gheller.

"To find out what needs to be done, talk to your local GP, or contact Council’s Immunisation team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278)."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government, LSV to ensure lifeguard patrols continue safely, without cuts
  Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government and LSV to guarantee lifeguard patrols, warning proposed funding hike strains budgets while beaches remain high-risk, with recent drownings highlighting urgent safety needs.
• Bass Coast Shire Council delivers new shared path linking Cowes and Ventnor, boosting transport safety and community connectivity
  Bass Coast Shire Council will deliver a new 2km Ventnor Road Shared Path, linking Cowes and Ventnor, improving safety, accessibility, and community connectivity. The $1.96m project is jointly funded with the Australian government.
• Bass Coast Council launches mid-term review of Climate Change Action Plan, celebrating achievements and inviting community input
  Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing its Climate Change Action Plan 2020-2030, celebrating renewable energy achievements and inviting community feedback through surveys, pop-up sessions, engagement events, and a special film screening.
• Bass Coast Shire Council begins Cowes foreshore upgrades with $8M funding improvements for safer, greener, connected spaces
  Bass Coast Shire Council will soon commence the Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged civil and landscaping upgrades with $8 million federal funding, revitalising Cowes into a safer, greener and more connected destination.
• Bass Coast Shire Council hosts free creative industries workshop with marketing strategies, PR insights on 12 November 2025
  Bass Coast Shire Council is hosting a free creative industries workshop in Cowes on 12 November, offering marketing strategies, PR insights, business support, and networking with local media.
• Bass Coast wins National AustStab Award for sustainable road recycling and innovative rehabilitation
  Bass Coast Shire Council won the 2025 AustStab Award for Excellence for pioneering road recycling methods, cutting emissions by 85%, truck movements by 80%, and delivering faster, more sustainable, durable roads with less disruption.
• Bass Coast celebrates Victorian Seniors Festival this October with events, workshops, performances and community connection
  The Victorian Seniors Festival returns to Bass Coast this October with the theme Connect, Create, Celebrate, offering workshops, performances, games, tours, and free transport for Seniors Card holders.
• Victorian Health Department sets Gippsland priorities, access, workforce, safety, shared services, and mental health expansion
  The Victorian Department of Health has set four Gippsland health priorities: access, workforce, safety, and shared services, while highlighting mental health needs and significant workforce investment at Warragul's regional health leaders' forum.
• West Gippsland CMA champions healthy waterways, culture, community, and sustainability across the catchment
  West Gippsland CMA celebrates World Rivers Day by highlighting river health, cultural significance, and restoration efforts. Caring for 40,000km of waterways, they partner with communities to ensure resilient, thriving rivers.
• Danny O'Brien warns Bayside Health merger threatens Gippsland communities, confirming hidden health service consolidation
  Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's Bayside Health merger, warning it will reduce local hospital autonomy, limit community input, and risk services for Gippsland residents, prioritising bureaucratic cost-saving over patient care.
• Forge Theatre's school holiday season brings classic tales, comedy chaos and heartfelt community spirit to East Gippsland
  The Forge Theatre's school holiday season features The Velveteen Rabbit, Polite Mammals, and The Heartbreak Choir, offering family fun, comedy, and heartfelt community spirit with something for everyone to enjoy.
• East Gippsland Shire backs $15M Bairnsdale Airport upgrade to boost emergency response and healthcare services regionally
  East Gippsland Shire Council has backed a $15 million Bairnsdale Airport upgrade, extending the runway to boost emergency response, healthcare services, and regional aviation, supported by government funding and health agencies.
• Danny O'Brien urges Labor government to fund new Port Welshpool Coast Guard vessel for community safety
  Danny O'Brien urges the Allan Labor government to urgently fund a new $2 million vessel for Port Welshpool Coastguard, ensuring volunteers can safely cover Corner Inlet, Wilsons Promontory, and protect locals.