The School Immunisation team delivers the national routine immunisation programme to children and young people in Wakefield.
Our vaccination programmes are primarily carried out in school-based settings for children in reception to year 11 and are delivered according to national campaigns and the schedule school vaccination programme.
We also offer community clinics for children who were absent during school vaccination sessions or for young people educated at home or with an individual need.
Vaccines are the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health now and in the future. Visit the NHS website for more information on the national immunisation schedule.
You can find out more about preschool vaccinations at the Wakefield 0-19 service website.
The nasal flu spray is offered every year to children in school years reception to year 11 during the winter months. The vaccine offers the best protection for children against flu.
Flu is caused by a virus, and it can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Children spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people.
If the flu spray is declined due to porcine content, the injectable flu vaccine can be given as is this also safe and effective.
Visit the NHS website for more information on the flu vaccine.
The HPV vaccine is offered to both boys and girls in year 8 and it helps protect against the human papillomavirus, this virus increases the risk of developing some cancers in later life such as:
From September 2023 the routine HPV immunisation programme has moved from two doses to one dose as the latest evidence shows that one dose provides as much protection as two doses
The UK HPV vaccination programme began in 2008, since then here has been an 89% drop in the rates of severe cervical abnormalities in vaccinated women as well as a large drop in the number of young people with genital warts.
The UK programme is expected to eventually prevent hundreds of deaths from cervical cancer every year.
Visit the NHS website for more information on the HPV vaccination.
The Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) booster, also known as the 3 in 1 is given to boost protection again 3 separate diseases and is a single injection.
The Meningitis ACWY vaccine is a single injection given to protect against four strains of the meningococcal bacteria which cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).
Both the DTP and Meningitis ACWY vaccinations are offered to year 9 pupils and are usually given one in each arm.
Visit the NHS website for more information on the Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio and Meningitis ACWY vaccinations.
If your child has not already received two doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, this can be offered alongside consent for other year 9 vaccinations.
The MMR vaccine is the safest and most effective way to protect your child against measles, mumps, and rubella. Since the vaccine was introduced in 1988, these conditions have become rare in the UK. However, outbreaks of disease, especially measles, have occurred when the number of people having the vaccine has dropped.
If you are unsure whether you have previously had the vaccine or not, contact the immunisation team or GP practice and this can be caught up.
visit the NHS website for more information on the MMR vaccination.
Information and consent forms for this year’s flu campaign will be distributed from your child’s school. Please complete the form to give your consent or decline and return the form to your child’s school. It is important that parents/guardian complete this as soon as possible to ensure your child is protected this winter.
Wakefield school immunisation team will soon be using an electronic consent process. Once in place, parents will receive a link from their child’s school by email or text message and will be asked to complete the consent form online. We will have other resources available for anyone who cannot access online facilities. Parents/carers can contact the service on the numbers below to receive further support and give their consent.
“I was really nervous to have an injection, but everything was explained to me and I was made to feel more relaxed”
“Really nice nurse explained what I was having and why”.
FFT feedback 2022
If you wish to speak to someone regarding your child’s immunisations, please call 01924 310133 or email us at: Wakefieldvis@bdct.nhs.uk – we are available Monday-Friday 08:30am – 16:30pm (excluding bank holidays).
We also have Facebook and Twitter pages called ‘Wakefield School Immunisation team’ where we post dates of school sessions. You can also contact us on Facebook messenger.
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