School Age Immunisation Service

You will receive a school/home school code and a link to a consent form at the start of each programme that your child is eligible for via your child’s school.    If you are unsure of your child’s unique school code, please get in touch with us at barnsleysais@swyt.nhs.uk or by calling 01226 438828.

Children and young people who are home-educated or not currently in an educational setting may be invited via text message, letter or telephone call.  If you believe your child is due their vaccinations and have not received an offer contact us.

Consent must be given by an adult with legal parental responsibility for the child or young person.  The Children Act 1989 sets out who has parental responsibility for a child.

Mothers automatically have parental responsibility for their children.

A father usually has parental responsibility if he is:

• married to the child’s mother
• listed on the birth certificate (after a certain date, depending on which part of the UK the child was born in)
• has a court order confirming parental responsibility

Young people over 13 years old may be able to self-consent following a robust procedure to assess their capacity and understanding of the vaccines being offered.

If you experience any difficulties in completing an electronic consent form, please contact the service. We are happy to take verbal consent from you or supply a paper version of the consent form.

Childhood Flu Programme – Reception to School Year 11

Flu is caused by the influenza virus.  It is very unpleasant for children and young people but can also lead to serious problems such as pneumonia and bronchitis.   Children catch and spread the flu virus easily so by vaccinating them we also protect more vulnerable people such as babies and older people.

Most children and young people can receive the vaccine via a simple nasal spray called Fluenz Tetra.   For children and young people who cannot have the flu spray, an alternative vaccine is available.  This is given as a simple injection usually into the upper arm. The team will advise and support you in accessing this if required.

More information here: Child flu vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

HPV – school year 8

The HPV vaccine helps to protect you from being infected by HPV. This virus increases the risk of developing some cancers later in life, such as:

• cervical cancer
• some mouth and throat cancers
• some cancers of the anus and genital areas

The HPV vaccine does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

To give you the best protection, the vaccine should be given before you become sexually active. If you are sexually active, you should still have the vaccine.

You will be informed of school session dates via your child’s school.

There has been a move from a two dose to a one dose programme from September 2023. The vaccine is a single injection usually given in the upper arm.

More information here:  Information on the HPV vaccination from September 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Diphtheria, tetanus, and polio boosters –School year 9.

This booster, also known as the 3-in-1 vaccine, is given to boost protection against 3 separate diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and polio.

Throughout childhood you will be offered 5 doses of the tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccines. This will build up and maintain your body’s own immunity against these infections and protect you against the diseases.

The 3-in-1 teenage booster is free on the NHS for all young people aged 14 (school year 9) as part of the national immunisation programme. It is usually given in the upper arm at the same time as the MenACWY vaccine.

This usually completes the 5th and final dose of the vaccine but if you have not completed the full course in earlier childhood, the team will advise you about future doses.

You will be informed of school session dates via your child’s school.

More information here: 3-in-1 teenage booster overview - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Meningitis ACWY vaccination– School year 9

This vaccine will protect you against 4 strains of the meningococcal bacteria – ACWY which can cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).  It’s given in a single injection usually into the upper arm. The vaccine is called Nimenrix and is usually administered at the same time as the Diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster.

More information here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/men-acwy-vaccine/

MMR – Catch up

The combined Measles Mumps and rubella vaccine is safe and effective. It protects you against 3 serious illnesses Measles, Mumps and Rubella which are highly infectious.  Vaccination is very important as these illnesses can lead to serious complications including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.

The vaccine is usually offered in early childhood at around 1 year 3 years 4 months old.  Two doses are required to give full protection.

More information here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/

Contact us for an appointment if your child has not had both doses or if you aren't sure

We offer catch up vaccinations for all programmes up until the end of school year 11.  To discuss this with a member of the team contact us via barnsleysais@swyt.nhs.uk or 01226 438828.

This includes pre-school vaccinations for children over 3 years 10 months.  Please contact barnsleychildhealth@swyt.nhs.uk or telephone 01226 438800 to arrange.

We can offer the nasal flu vaccine to children aged 2 and 3 on the 31^st August via our flu clinics (see clinic dates).

The full UK childhood immunisation schedule can be found here:  Complete routine immunisation schedule - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)   *Please note that from September 2023 the HPV schedule will change from two doses to one for most young people.

• All outstanding vaccinations will be offered with valid consent up until the end of school year 11 at school catch up sessions (subject to authorisation by school staff) or via one of our community clinics.
• Please note school dates may be cancel/rearranged at late notice.
• Consent forms can be submitted via HPV Vaccination Consent Form (barnsleysais.co.uk) (Year 8 to 11) and TDIPV MenACWY Vaccination Consent Form (barnsleysais.co.uk) (Year 9 up to Year 11)
• If you have any questions or difficulties completing the consent forms please give the team a call on 01226 644233/24 or email us at barnsleysais@swyt.nhs.uk We will be happy to help!
• For more information about the vaccines offered please visit 3-in-1 teenage booster overview - NHS (www.nhs.uk) and HPV vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Please check the NHS website to see the UK’s routine vaccination schedule.

If your child is over 3 years 10 months and has missed any of their childhood or adolescent vaccinations you are welcome to pop along to one of our drop in clinics or contact the team via telephone or email with any queries.

If not already done so please ensure you complete the consent form by visiting  www.barnsleysais.co.uk

Should you have any problems please contact us at barnsleysais@swyt.nhs.uk

Our service welcomes feedback. You will receive email confirmation (where an address has been provided on the consent form) that your child has received their vaccination.  Within this email is a link to give feedback on their experience.

Alternatively, you can visit the rate my nhs website to leave your feedback  visit the website.