One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations. It’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases.
Is your child up to date with their vaccinations? Make sure you check their Red Book or contact your GP practice to find out & book in any missed doses.
We know your child’s health is your top priority – and so protecting them from serious disease is incredibly important. That is why the NHS offers a free childhood vaccine programme, safeguarding your child from certain illnesses.
One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations. It’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases. Ideally, children should have their jabs at the right age to protect them as early as possible and minimise the risk of infection.
Children’s immunisations clinics will usually be held at the surgery on Mondays and Tuesdays from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Please call our reception on 01827 713664 to make an appointment.
The UK’s childhood vaccination programme prevents around 5,000 deaths, and more than 100,000 hospital admissions, each year in England.
NHS England also notes that, since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either now gone or very rarely seen.
However, in recent years we have seen a trend of lower vaccine uptake, and this has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Sadly, England no longer has the high levels of population immunity recommended by the World Health Organisation for highly infectious diseases like measles to be eliminated (95%), and this has led to increased risk for those who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.
Preventable childhood infections can have a huge impact on a child’s life: they can miss out on education due to time spent unwell, be hospitalised, and have life-long complications such as deafness, blindness, encephalitis (infection of the brain) and paralysis. Sometimes these infections can tragically cause life-long disabilities and even death.
We have already begun to see increased cases of measles and whooping cough, with outbreaks around the country, so there is an urgent need to ensure children are vaccinated and protected against these serious illnesses.
To address falling rates, and ensure children are best protected against preventable diseases, the UKHSA and the NHS launched a national campaign on 4 March 2024 to support efforts to increase uptake of childhood immunisations among children aged 0-5 and highlight the serious risk childhood diseases can pose if children aren’t vaccinated.
NHS England data shows if 95% of children receive the MMR vaccine, this would stop measles spreading completely. Measles, mumps and rubella can quickly spread again if fewer than 90% of people are vaccinated.
Seeing your child get sick is any parent’s worst nightmare, but this can be prevented. Immunisations offer the best protection for children against many common illnesses. Check your child is up to date and contact your GP practice to book any catch up appointments.
How do vaccines work
Vaccine risk versus disease risk
What are the routine childhood vaccinations and when are they due?
Addressing lower levels of vaccine confidence
Common questions and queries
Useful links
For more information on some of the specific vaccinations available please click on the links below: