Dorset’s school age immunisation programme resumes
Immunisations postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic have started again for school pupils that were in years eight, nine and ten during the 2019/2020 academic year.
Secondary school students normally receive routine immunisations against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Td/IPV (tetanus, diphtheria and polio) and MenACWY (Meningococal groups A, C, W and Y disease) at school but, due to closures, they were not able to take place.
For those who had a clinic appointment for MenACWY and Td/IPV cancelled, Dorset HealthCare’s School Aged Immunisation Service (SAIS) has invited parents to bring their children to ‘catch-up clinics’ taking place this month at a range of local community venues.
Any children not able to attend these clinics will have the chance to be immunised in spring 2021. The SAIS will also be offering the immunisation to anyone who did not complete a consent form in 2019/20, and parents will be contacted by their child’s school to arrange this.
The postponed HPV programme will resume in September, and schools will be contacted by the SAIS shortly to arrange a date and inform parents. These clinics may also take place in a community venue.
Dawn Campbell, Dorset HealthCare’s Service Manager for the SAIS, said:
“We are very pleased that we are able to use the end of the summer term to catch up on as many immunisations missed from the 2019/20 school year as possible. I’d urge all parents who received an invitation to take up the offer. It’s quick and easy, and will give lasting protection to their children against serious, vaccine preventable diseases.
“We’d also like to reassure parents that if their child has missed out on an immunisation for any other reason this school year, there will be other opportunities to be immunised in the 2020/21 school year.”
For further information or any queries, please email dhc.immsenquiries@nhs.net