Vaccinations
Vaccination schedule
Seasonal flu vaccine
All school children up to school year 11, (age 2 to 16yrs).
What does it protect against?
Influenza virus – also known as flu.
Why do we need this vaccination?
Children are at a higher risk of getting complications if they become very unwell.
How the vaccine is given
This vaccine is given at school by a visiting nursing team.
Most children get it as a nasal spray, but if the spray isn’t suitable, they can have an injection in the upper arm or thigh instead.
Children only need one dose each year.
A gelatine-free version of the vaccine is also available.
HPV vaccine
School years 8 and 9, (age 12 to 13yrs).
What does it protect against?
Human Papillomavirus – a virus.
Why do we need this vaccination?
HPV can cause several types of cancer, including cervical cancer and mouth cancers. It can also cause genital warts.
How the vaccine is given
This vaccine is given at school by a visiting nursing team.
It is given as an injection, and children only need one dose.
There is no gelatine used to make this vaccine.
MenACWY vaccine
School year 9, (age 13 to 14yrs).
What does it protect against?
Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y – bacteria known to cause meningitis.
Why do we need this vaccination?
Meningitis is a very serious infection that affects the lining of the brain.
How the vaccine is given
This vaccine is given at school by a visiting nursing team.
It is given as an injection and children only need one dose.
There is no gelatine in this vaccine.
Td/IPV vaccine (3-in-1 teenage booster)
School year 9, (age 13 to 14yrs).
What does it protect against?
Tetanus, diphtheria and polio.
Why do we need this vaccination?
Tetanus and diphtheria are very serious and harmful diseases.
How the vaccine is given
This vaccine is given at school by a visiting nursing team.
It is given as an injection, and this is the final dose children will have already had earlier doses when they were babies.
There is no gelatine in this vaccine.
Why are vaccinations so important?
Vaccines are the best and safest way to protect your child from many different diseases.
Every year, millions of parents in the UK get their children vaccinated. It’s important for as many people as possible to have their vaccines. This helps protect everyone, including people who can’t be vaccinated because they are too young or have medical problems.
The vaccination programme has been developed over many years to give strong protection against some of the most serious and dangerous infections. All vaccines are tested carefully and are checked all the time to make sure they are safe.
Vaccines are very safe and it is unlikely that they will cause any serious side effects. Some people may get a sore arm or feel a bit unwell for a day or two. This happens because the body is building an immune response, which helps it recognise and fight the disease in the future.
Vaccinations do not give you the disease.
Your child will have been offered vaccines before they were old enough to start school. If they have missed any vaccines, you should contact your GP so that your child can catch up and stay protected from infections.
The vaccines, flu, HPV, MenACWY and Td/IPV, are offered at school. These vaccines are free and provided by the NHS. You will be given a consent form to show whether you agree to your child being vaccinated.
It is important to return this form on time so the vaccinations can go ahead.
If you are not sure about your child having a vaccine or if you have any questions, you can speak to the School-age Immunisation team, the school nurse or your GP for advice.
The HPV vaccine
HPV is a virus that can cause different types of cancer. It is best known for causing cervical cancer, but it can also cause mouth cancers and other genital cancers.
Getting the HPV vaccine can lower the risk of cervical cancer by up to 90%.
HPV is very common and spreads through skin-to-skin contact, often during sexual activity. Even though your child may not be sexually active yet, it is important for them to be vaccinated before they become sexually active so they have the best protection against cancer.
Vaccinating boys is important too. It helps protect them from mouth and genital cancers in the future and it also helps protect girls by reducing the spread of the virus.
Missed vaccinations
If your child has missed any vaccinations, you can contact your GP, who should be able to give the catch-up doses.
If your child missed their MMR vaccine when they were younger, the school immunisation team can give this as part of a catch-up programme.
To see the full vaccination schedule, including the vaccines given before your child starts school, visit: NHS - Vaccinations and when to have them