Over 50,000 Lincolnshire children protected through immunisation

The School Age Immunisation Service (SAIS) visit more than 360 schools in the county to give children free vaccines against serious illnesses.

Over the last school year, the team administered over 50,000 vaccines to help protect youngsters against diseases like flu, HPV, diphtheria, tetanus, polio and meningitis.

A Lincolnshire immunisation nurse shows how a nasal vaccination is given

The service also offers the flu vaccine to staff in special schools as pupils tend to be more vulnerable due to existing health conditions.

The vaccines are mainly given to children during their normal school day without the need for parents and carers to attend. Trained nurses and clinical support workers lead on the vaccinations and support the children, with school staff always present.

Vaccines are provided throughout children’s schooling:

• The nasal flu vaccine is offered to all children from reception to year 6 in primary schools
• The flu vaccine is offered to all children attending special schools
• The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV vaccine) is offered to students in year 8 and year 9 (protection against head and neck cancers, including mouth and throat, and genital cancers)
• The meningitis vaccine and the diptheria, tetanus and polio booster are offered to students in year 9

Janice Spencer, interim director of children’s services, said: “You may not hear much about some of these diseases in the UK now, and you may not know anyone who has had them.

“This is because the vaccines work and have really helped to reduce the diseases happening here. However, it’s still vitally important that your child has the vaccines to protect them – and to give wider protection to everyone in the community.

“The service is available to all children and young people, whatever school they attend, as well as those educated at home.

“The SAIS will contact you through your child’s school about the vaccinations and consent forms at the appropriate times. When they do, please take them up – they could literally save lives.

“It’s also really important that your child has any pre-school vaccinations. If you’re unsure, talk to the practice nurse at your GP surgery, or look out for catch-up programmes that may be available once they start school.”

Are vaccines safe?

• All vaccines offered in the UK are rigorously tested for effectiveness and safety.
• A very small number of people may experience unwanted side-effects, but these are far safer than getting the disease they prevent.
• For all of us to be protected, including people who cannot take vaccines because of medical issues, most of us need to be vaccinated.
• If you’re concerned, contact your GP, or visit ‘NHS vaccinations and when to have them’ on the NHS Choices website.

Finding out more

More information is available at www.lincolnshirecommunityhealthservices.nhs.uk
You can also phone the immunisation team, using the number for the part of Lincolnshire where your child goes to school:

• South West – Grantham Health Clinic, 01476 590805 ext 5 (Grantham)
• South East – Johnson Hospital, 01775 652144 (Spalding)
• North West – Fen House, 01522 502016 (Lincoln)

Immunisations are giving children and teenagers in Lincolnshire the best possible defence against dangerous illnesses