This World Immunisation Week (24th to 30th April) Solent NHS Trust’s School Age Immunisation (SAI) Service is encouraging parents and families of eligible pupils and students on the Isle of Wight to take up the offer of its full, annual vaccination programme.
The SAI service travels to primary and secondary schools in the area to provide various immunisations throughout the school year to give 4 to 16-year-olds (and up to 18-year-olds in Special Educational Needs – SEN – schools) the best possible protection against dangerous diseases.
The service also runs community clinics for those who are educated at home or in other settings as well as those who are not currently in education or who have missed their school vaccination session.
Anderson: Vaccinators are also on hand to answer any questions
Angela Anderson, Deputy Chief Nurse at Solent NHS Trust, said,
“School age immunisations play a really important role in protecting the youngest members of our families and communities from contagious viruses and diseases including the human papillomavirus (HPV), Measles, Mumps and Rubella, (MMR): Tetanus diphtheria and polio (Td/IVP) Meningitis (Men ACWY) (Teenage Booster) and seasonal flu.
“We are encouraging all parents and families of eligible children to take up the full range of immunisations which are all offered in a safe, clinical environment that is easiest for them, whether that is in school or a community setting.
“Our teams want to make the immunisation experience as easy and accessible as possible which is why some sessions are offered in evenings and on weekends. Our vaccinators are also on hand to answer any questions parents or guardians may have so that they can make a fully informed choice.”
Rolling out
Solent’s SAI service will next be focusing on rolling out the HPV vaccine for boys and girls aged 12 to 13 years old. The team will then be offering:
- The teenage booster for 14-year-olds
- The MMR vaccine in catch up sessions
- The flu vaccine from September for all primary aged children.
The immunisations will be by invitation through normal school channels and will now follow an online electronic consent process which you can read more about here.
News shared by Solent NHS Trust, in their own words. Ed
