Childhood Immunisations

Why it's important to get your child vaccinated

Routine vaccinations play a huge part in protecting you, your child, and the community against a range of unpleasant and often serious childhood diseases, such as measles.

In recent years we have seen a gradual decline in up-take of childhood immunisations in West Sussex, so it's important that children get vaccinated when they are invited to do so. By ensuring your child is vaccinated you are helping to protect, not only your child, but also family members, as well as keeping others safe in the community.

Many childhood vaccines are given more than once, at different ages and in different combinations. Use the guide below to check if your child is up to date with their vaccinations.

MMR vaccination reminder

Measles cases are rising in England. Measles is highly infectious and can be passed on even before a rash appears.

Make sure your child is protected from becoming seriously unwell with measles by checking they are up to date with their MMR vaccinations.

Older children and adults who haven’t had both doses of the MMR vaccine could also be at risk.

Two doses are needed for lifelong protection and it’s never too late to catch up. Book an appointment with your GP. For more information about the symptoms of measles and what to do if you think you or your child may have measles visit the NHS website.

If you think you have measles, call NHS 111 or your GP practice before turning up at a healthcare setting to help prevent the virus spreading.

Quick guide to the UK Childhood Immunisation Schedule

It’s never too late to catch up on immunisations for your child

Ensuring your child has their vaccinations at the right time gives them the best protection, but the good news is it’s never too late to catch up on any vaccinations your child has missed. Vaccinations can be rescheduled, and every child is still entitled to their jab, even if they have missed an appointment.

Adults and older children who haven't had both doses of the MMR vaccine could be at risk of measles. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed for lifelong protection.

Vaccinations are offered free of charge in the UK, simply call your GP practice to book an appointment.

What to do next

If you are not sure whether your child has had all their vaccines for their age:

• Check your child’s RED BOOK
• Ask your health visitor
• Contact your GP practice

To make sure they have the best protection your child should ideally have their routine jabs in line with the UK Childhood Immunisation Schedule.

Useful resources for parents/carers

To find out more about what vaccinations children can get and when, speak to your health visitor, practice nurse or visit:

• Vaccinations and new born screening tests | Baby
• Vaccinations and immunisations | Toddler

Watch the video below on why vaccines are safe and important for your child:

Download the UKHSA MMR vaccination leaflet.

This leaflet explains:

• signs and symptoms of measles, mumps and rubella
• who is eligible for the vaccine
• the importance of having the correct, complete doses of MMR
• you can get MMR vaccination at any age, especially if you are not sure if you have had it

Translated versions of this leaflet are available to download in the following languages: Polish, Romanian, Somali, Ukrainian and Yoruba.

The following videos are also available to watch:

• One year vaccinations video for parents

• Pre-school vaccinations video for parents

A parent’s guide to keeping kids healthy this school term - UK Health Security Agency (blog.gov.uk)

Useful resources for Supporters

Please help us to promote childhood immunisations to your communities and the people you support.

Aim

• To raise awareness of childhood vaccinations and to encourage parents to catch up on any vaccinations their children might have missed before they start school. This is aimed at families living in West Sussex with children under the age of 5 or with older children who may have previously missed out on routine vaccines.

Key messages

• Vaccines are the most effective way to protect your child from childhood diseases.
• Ensuring your child has their vaccinations at the right time gives them the best protection, but it’s not too late to catch up on any you’ve missed.
• It is particularly important to ensure children are up to date with all their routine vaccinations before they start school so that they can fully benefit from the protection they offer.
• Vaccines are safe, free, and available at the GP practice.

How You Can Help

• Help to spread the word amongst those families you are supporting and in the communities you are working. ‘Make Every Contact Count’ by engaging in brief conversations with parents about childhood vaccination and reminding them about the importance of children catching up on missed routine vaccinations.
• Display posters and leaflets around your setting.
• Post an article on your website or newsletter.
• Signpost people in your communities to the Childhood Immunisations web page for more information.

Assets

The following assets can be downloaded below and useful links and other resources you can signpost to:

Useful links

UKHSA MMR vaccination leaflet

Translated versions of this leaflet are available to download in the following languages: Bengali, Polish, Romanian, Somali, Ukrainian and Yoruba.

You can also download the UKHSA Measles: Don't let your child catch it poster or leaflet which addresses common questions about MMR, with an English version available to order and download versions in:

• Arabic
• Afrikaans
• Bengali
• Chinese
• Cantonese
• French
• Hindi
• Hebrew
• German
• Italian
• Lithuanian
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Romani
• Romanian
• Swahili
• Tagalog
• Tamil
• Turkish
• Urdu
• Ukrainian
• Yiddish.

MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine

Immunisations: babies up to 13 months of age

A guide to immunisations at one year of age

• To order by telephone (0300 123 1002) use the product code 2022QG1EN.
• These leaflets are available to order or download in a variety of languages:
  • Immunisations at one year of age (GOV.UK).

Pre-school vaccinations: guide to vaccinations from 2 to 5 years

• To order by telephone (0300 123 1002) use the product code 22PSC34EN.

Vaccines and porcine gelatine

• These leaflets are available to order or download in a variety of languages:
  • Vaccines and porcine gelatine (GOV.UK)

Other useful resources

• Immunisations: resources for nurseries and schools – Vaccination poster about preschool jabs.
• Immunisation Vaccinate baby A3 poster - Immunisation poster about protecting your baby against 17 diseases.