Vaccinations

Nurses gives vaccines to school-age children and young people. This can take place at school or at the nurse’s clinic.

Information about all the vaccines offered throughout life, can be found on the NHS website - NHS vaccinations and when to have them. It includes the list of vaccines offered to school-age children and young people. These vaccines are provided free by the NHS. 

Why are school aged vaccines so important?

Vaccines are a type of medicine designed to prevent disease. They prepare the body to recognise and fight diseases. Vaccines are fully tested to make sure they are safe.

Making sure your child has their vaccines, will protect them from different diseases.

Millions of children in the UK and around the world have vaccines. It is much safer to have a vaccine, rather than the disease. Children can become unwell when infected with the disease and can get long-term health problems. 

Vaccines do not give a disease. However, after vaccination, your child may get a sore arm or feel unwell. This happens because their body is responding to the vaccine. 

Some diseases are more common in school age children. Vaccines offered at school-age give protection from Flu, HPV, MenACWY and Td/IPV.

Flu 

Most children have the flu vaccine as a nasal spray. This is made using gelatine. If the nasal spray is not suitable another vaccine is available. This is an injection, given either in the upper arm or thigh.

School children will need one dose of the flu vaccine every year.

Human papilloma virus (HPV)

The HPV vaccine is an injection. Children will only need one injection. No gelatine is used to make this vaccine.

Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y (MenACWY)

The MenACWY vaccine is an injection and children only need one. No gelatine is used to make this vaccine.

Tetanus, diphtheria and inactivated polio (Td/IPV)

The Td/IPV vaccine (3-in-1 teenage booster) is an injection. Children will only need one injection. There is no gelatine used to make this vaccine.

Consent

You, as parent or carer, will be asked to give consent for your child to have their vaccines. This will be either online or by a paper letter.

It is important to respond to the consent on time.

If you are not sure about your child having a vaccine, please contact the nurses. Telephone: 03333 583 397 (choose option 5) or email Immunisations.Derbyshire@intrahealth.co.uk.

Missed vaccines

If your child has missed any vaccines, you can contact your GP surgery. They will advise you on which vaccines are due.