Dear Parent/Carer
Your Child’s Secondary School Immunisations are now due
The national childhood immunisations programme has meant that many dangerous diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria and polio (Td/IPV) have practically disappeared in the UK. Unfortunately, this is not the same for all countries and cases of these diseases continue to be seen worldwide, including Europe. Similarly, immunisations for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and Meningitis have drastically reduced the number of people contracting these serious infections. Therefore, it is important that we continue to immunise our children and teenagers in order to maintain the high level of protection found in the UK.
We will be visiting your child’s school on 7th, 8th & 9th March. Please complete the consent form in full using the following school code: BW105738 no later than Friday, 4th March 2022 at 1:00PM, as the link will close and you will not be able to consent for your child to have the immunisations after this time. However, we may use Gillick Competence www.nhs.uk/conditions/consent-to-treatment/children/ for self-consent with those students whose forms are not returned and who wish to have the vaccine.
We use an online consenting platform which can be accessed via any internet enabled device. Please click on the following link https://www.bwimmunisations.co.uk/Forms/DTP which will direct you to an online consent form for you to complete for your child.
Diphtheria Tetanus and Polio (Td/IPV)
Young people need a total of five doses of Td/IPV vaccine to build up and keep their immunity. These are usually given as follows:
- The first three doses as a baby
- The fourth dose when they were between three and five years old, before they started school
- The fifth dose is due in year 9 according to the UK immunisation schedule.
Meningococcal ACWY
Due to an increase in the number of cases of Meningitis W in adolescents and university aged students, protection against Men W has been incorporated into the Meningococcal vaccine. The ACWY booster for protection against Meningococcal bacteria is now recommended for teenagers in addition to those doses previously received as a baby. This can be given at the same time as the Td/IPV.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Cases of measles have been on the increase across the UK and this is a good time to check that your child has had two doses of MMR. If your child is missing any doses of the MMR vaccine these can be administered by the immunisation team.
Below is a link to a leaflet explaining the vaccination programme and any possible side effects that may occur following the vaccination:
Immunisations for young people – your questions answered (publishing.service.gov.uk)
MMR for all: general leaflet – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Vaccinations – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
If you require further information regarding the vaccines we offer please go to our Immunisation website which has full details of our service: http://www.bridgewater.nhs.uk/immunisations
In the rare event that you do not have access to the internet, please contact the immunisation team who will complete a consent form with you over the phone.
If you have any queries regarding online consenting or if you feel that your child may have missed any previously offered immunisations (including MMR), please contact the Oldham Chadderton & Failsworth School Nurse Team on 0161 470 4368, where we will be pleased to assist you.
If you do not want your child to have this vaccination course, please still complete the consent form where you will have the option to decline the vaccinations. We hope that the information provided helps you to make a positive decision about protecting your child.
Yours sincerely
Suzanne Ferguson
Team Leader
Contact details:
Oldham Borough
Bridgewater Community Healthcare
NHS Foundation Trust
Hollinwood Children’s Centre,
St Chads Centre,
Limegreen Parade,
Oldham,
OL8 9HH.
Tel: 0161 470 4368
Email: oldham.shaimms@nhs.net