Immunisation ensures that our bodies are best protected against some serious diseases. It means that if we come into contact with certain diseases our bodies are better equipped to fight them off.
Immunisation is an easy and very safe way of protecting you and your child. Immunisations are usually given as an injection (by a needle into a persons arm or leg).
As a result of the UK’s national immunisation programme, a number of disease have disappeared from the UK, such as polio. However, as they are still present in other countries they could come back, so it is vital that we remain as protected as possible. Maintaining high immunisation rates means we not only protect ourselves, but also our families and communities and keep diseases at bay.
Please be aware anti-immunisation stories are often spread online through social media. They may not be based on scientific evidence and could put you and your child at risk of a serious illness. If you have any questions please speak to the immunisation team or your GP.
An immunisation or vaccine contains a tiny part of the bacterium or virus that causes a disease, or tiny amounts of the chemicals the bacterium produces. By receiving vaccines, our immune systems are able to produce antibodies, which are substances to fight specific infections or diseases. This is so that if we later come into contact with the disease, our immune system already has the armour to recognise it and fight it off.
There is nothing to be scared of. An injection will usually be given in your child’s arm, near their shoulder. It does hurt a little bit, but it will be very quick.
There are very few medical reasons why a person should not have a vaccine. If you are worried, talk to the immunisation team or your GP.
You should not have a vaccine and should seek advice if you have had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to a previous vaccine.
Your child will get most of your immunisations in school with a nurse. You may get some immunisations at the doctors too if your child is going on holiday and need a different type of immunisation to the ones needed in this country.
The Immunisation Team for Hillingdon has different contact details to the School Nursing Team.
The Immunisation Team’s phone lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The Immunisation Team is based in Hillingdon at the Warren Health Centre and you can contact them by telephone on 01895 485740
Our vaccination programmes are primarily carried out in school-based settings and are delivered according to national campaigns and the schedule school vaccination programme.
We also offer local catch-up clinics for those who have been absent during school vaccination programmes or for young people educated at home or with an individual need.
Consent forms and information leaflets are sent out by your child’s school or direct to your parents or carers at the appropriate time. Please make sure that you complete and return the form to the team; the form will explain what you need to do.
The nurse will check the consent form and make sure that your child is well and able to have the immunisations that day.
Seasonal Influenza (‘flu’) vaccination
The Seasonal Flu vaccine programme runs during the Autumn Term each year.
The flu vaccine for children is given as a single dose of nasal spray squirted up each nostril.
The flu vaccine is given as a single dose of nasal spray which is squirted up each nostril. Not only is it needle-free but the nasal spray is more effective for use in younger children with fewer side effects.
It’s quick and painless and having the vaccine will mean your child is less likely to become ill if they come into contact with the flu virus.
For more information on the flu vaccination, please visit nhs.uk, or open the following information leaflets:
All about flu and how to stop getting it: Easy read version
Which flu vaccine should children have? Information sheet
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are safe and effective. They give you the best protection against COVID-19. Everyone aged 5 and over can get a COVID-19 vaccine.
The NHS website has the most up to date information. To find out more about the current Coronavirus vaccination information please check here
To find out how to get a coronavirus vaccination please check here