Polio and MMR Vaccination 2023/24

Generally all school aged vaccinations are provided by the school immunisation team. The GPs can vaccinate in certain circumstances, but usually only if the child has missed their vaccinations after the school year it was due.

Occasionally, the team may request that vaccinations are given by the GP if it is thought to be more suitable.

Whenever possible the team will provide a second vaccination opportunity, either in school or a community clinic. Please contact the team directly for further information.

It is important that you contact the Immunisation Team immediately and speak to a member of staff. We also advise that you contact the school if the vaccination session is planned within the next 72 hours .

The team will be happy to see your child in one of our community clinics. Please contact the team to discuss your requirements.

There are very few children that cannot receive their vaccinations.

However, if your child has a medical condition, it is possible that we will ask you or your child’s GP or consultant for further information to ensure it is safe for them to receive the vaccination at the current time.

Not everyone gets side effects to the vaccines. If they do experience side effects, these are generally mild and consist of the following, especially if it is the first dose of the vaccine: feeling tired, mild fever, a rash, body aches and soreness at the site of injection.

If you are worried about your child you can telephone 111 for non-urgent medical advice or contact your GP practice. In an emergency please telephone 999. Further advice can be found at: www.nhs.uk.

Call 111 for non-urgent medical advice and 999 in an emergency.

Our team reports any post-vaccination side effects that we are aware of, so please contact the Immunisation Team if you feel that we need to report any reactions experienced by your child.

Vaccinations can safely be given as long as the child is not systemically unwell.

If your child is not well enough to attend school, then our team will make arrangements to see them next time we visit. Generally, if they are well enough to be in school, they are usually well enough to be vaccinated.

However, if your child is recovering from a chronic illness or recent infection, the nurse may decide to defer the vaccination until they are fully recovered. This is to ensure that any subsequent changes in their health are not wrongly attributed to the vaccination.

You can find further information on the NHS choices website. Alternatively, you can speak to your GP, practice nurse or a member of the immunisation team.

We only ask for this information if it is needed to ensure the correct intervals between vaccinations.

Please note that we do not have access to your child’s GP records, so we may not be aware of their previous vaccination date unless you advise us.

Measles is again on the rise across the UK. We are commissioned to offer and provide the MMR vaccine to all children who have not received 2 doses of this already. Therefore, if your child has not had a dose at around 1 year of age and then again at pre-school age, they may not be fully protected. If you are not sure if they have had both doses, please write NO to this answer and our team will be in touch to discuss this and offer your child the vaccine during our visit.