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.

In recent years we have seen a gradual decline in 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.

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.

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 & Newborn Screening Tests | Baby
• Vaccinations & immunisations | Toddler

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

Useful resources for Supporters

Please help us to promote a new West Sussex Childhood Immunisation campaign to your communities and the people you support.

About the campaign

• Slogan: PROTECT YOUR CHILD. Vaccines Give Them the Power to Fight Preventable Childhood Diseases.
• The campaign aims 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.
• It 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.
• The campaign will run from 1 June – 31 August 2023.

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 campaign materials around your setting.
• Upload the digital screensaver in reception area and post an article on your website or newsletter.
• Follow us on social media and share our posts from our twitter accounts @WSCCNews and @WSPublicHealth and our Facebook page WestSussexCC and Instagram @lovewestsussex. Please use the hashtags #VaccinesWork, #childhealth and #startingschool.
• Signpost people in your communities to the campaign webpage for more information: www.westsussex.gov.uk/childhood-immunisations

Campaign Assets

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

Printed campaign packs are available on request. If you wish to receive a printed campaign pack please email: PublicHealth@westsussex.gov.uk

Useful links

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 here.

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 here.

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.