Protect your child at school with vaccinations

With the start of a new school year, health chiefs in Kent and Medway are reminding parents and carers to make sure their children catch up on missed vaccinations.

Childhood infections, like measles and whooping cough, are rising across the country with several places reporting outbreaks.

These infections can have a huge impact on your child’s life. They can miss out on school due to time spent unwell, need hospital treatment, and even experience life-long complications and disability.

Dr Kate Langford, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Kent and Medway, said: “If your child isn’t vaccinated, they are at risk of getting seriously ill and spreading illness onto others. 

“It is important for parents to take up all NHS vaccines they are offered to make sure your child has the best protection. 

“If you or your child have missed a vaccine, it is never too late to check and get up-to-date.” 

There are a number of vaccines children should have as part of the childhood immunisation schedule, including the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

In total, 85.8 per cent of five-year-olds in Kent had both doses of MMR by the end of March this year, which is below the 95 per cent recommendation from the World Health Organisation. 

In Medway, 82.1 per cent of five-year-olds had both doses of the MMR vaccine during the same period. 

Please check your child’s Red Book to see if they have missed any vaccines or check with their GP if you are unsure. Children will need both doses of the MMR vaccine to be protected. 

Visit www.GetVaccinatedNow.co.uk to find out more. 

Kent County Council’s Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, said: “Thanks to all Kent parents and carers who have made sure their children are protected against measles and our MMR vaccination rates stay above the national average.

“However, these rates still need to increase if we are to prevent a measles outbreak.

“One in five children who catch measles need hospital care and, on rare occasions, it can claim lives – yet two doses of MMR gives life-long protection.

“MMR is safe, effective, free on the NHS and it’s never too late to catch your child up through your GP practice, your child’s school vaccination programme or one of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s community clinics."

Cllr Teresa Murray, Deputy Leader of Medway Council and Portfolio Holder for Public Health, said: “Vaccination is one of the best forms of defence we have to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, as well as doing our bit to protect other people we come in to contact with who may be vulnerable. 

“Please take the time to make sure you and your children’s vaccination record is up-to-date and make an appointment when they need one.”