The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013

(preferably written) on the risks and benefits of each vaccine, including what
adverse events are possible, how common they are and what they should do
about them7 (the table inside the front cover of this Handbook, Side effects following
immunisation for vaccines used in the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule,
can be used for this purpose).
For consent to be legally valid, the following elements must be present: 6,8
1. It must be given by a person with legal capacity, and of sufficient intellectual
capacity to understand the implications of being vaccinated.
2. It must be given voluntarily in the absence of undue pressure, coercion or
manipulation.
3. It must cover the specific procedure that is to be performed.
4. It can only be given after the potential risks and benefits of the relevant
vaccine, risks of not having it and any alternative options have been
explained to the individual.
The individual must have sufficient opportunity to seek further details or
explanations about the vaccine(s) and/or its administration. The information
must be provided in a language or by other means the individual can
understand. Where appropriate, an interpreter and/or cultural support person
should be involved.
Consent should be obtained before each vaccination, once it has been established
that there are no medical condition(s) that contraindicate vaccination. Consent
can be verbal or written. Immunisation providers should refer to their state or
territory’s policies on obtaining written consent (see Appendix 1 Contact details
for Australian, state and territory government health authorities and communicable
disease control).
Consent on behalf of a child or adolescent
In general, a parent or legal guardian of a child has the authority to consent to
vaccination of that child; however, it is important to check with your state or
territory authority where any doubt exists. 2,5 A child in this context is defined
as being under the age of 18 years in Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia;
under the age of 14 years in New South Wales; and under the age of 16 years
in the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Queensland follows common law principles.
For certain procedures, including vaccination, persons younger than the ages
defined above may have sufficient maturity to understand the proposed
procedure and the risks and benefits associated with it, and thus may have the
capacity to consent under certain circumstances. Refer to the relevant state or
territory immunisation service provider guidelines for more information.
26 The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th edition