Immunisation means school age children both receiving a vaccine and then becoming immune to a disease.
A full dose of vaccination generally provides immunity similar to that provided by the natural infection, but without the risk of the disease or its complications. When children and young people receive all the vaccinations included in the National routine childhood immunisation programme, this has a direct positive impact on their own health and wellbeing, their families, and our communities.
Achieving high levels of immunity against vaccine preventable diseases is vital to reduce the spread of infection and prevent outbreaks. High levels of immunity can result in herd immunity, whereby the protection from immunisation programmes extends to individuals who cannot be vaccinated for a number of reasons.
School age immunisations FAQs
By offering adolescent vaccines in West Yorkshire schools we have an important opportunity to check that our children are up to date with all their routine immunisations and to ensure they are caught up so they are protected against a range of illnesses, some of which can be fatal.
Right now only 84% of children in West Yorkshire have had their full MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccinations (Feb 2024). The target is 95%, so it is not surprising that we are seeing measles cases rising in West Yorkshire. If children miss a routine immunisation, it exposes them, their family and friends to illness and these can be serious or fatal.
Check if your child is up-to-date with their vaccinations and immunisations on the national routine childhood immunisation programme and speak with your GP or healthcare worker.
Evidence shows that delivering immunisations in West Yorkshire schools reduces health inequalities by making access to vaccines easier for all, for example parents don’t need to take time off work to book immunisation appointments and children who are not registered with a GP are included.
School Age Immunisation Services (SAIS) deliver the school-based immunisation programmes in schools for NHS England (NHSE).
Under the currently rules, your children’s school will:
- · provide space and time in the timetable for vaccination
- · remind staff, children, and young people about the date of the immunisation session(s)
- · share information leaflets and consent forms with parents or carers
- · provide a list of eligible children and young people and their parent or carer’s contact details to the School Age Immunisation Services (SAIS) team.
Home schooled children and children not in mainstream schools for other reasons are also included.
Click on each of the links here to read more about the immunisations given at school age
National routine childhood immunisation programme
- · Flu or influenza
- · Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- · Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- · Meningitis (MenACWY)
Remember, some illnesses can seriously affect those living with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes.
Check with your GP about the vaccinations needed by your child.
Young people who miss out on the adolescent immunisation sessions remain eligible in older years and should be encouraged to catch up as soon as possible through their school aged immunisation service or by being referred to their GP.