The World Health Organisation and NHS Public Health England recommends that all routine vaccinations be administered as scheduled where possible, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is currently no evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic poses any specific risk linked to vaccination. They offer vital protection against communicable diseases and it is much safer for your immune system to learn through this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them.
Covid-19 Update:
Due to the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic, we are aware that some pupils may have missed their routine teenage vaccinations for HPV (Human Papilloma virus), Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio booster and Meningitis ACWY.
We are holding some community clinics out of school hours should you wish your child to be seen. If your child has missed any of their vaccinations, you will automatically be sent a text message inviting you to call us to book an appointment. Please be aware that this relies on the number on your GP record being up to date.
If you think your child is outstanding their vaccinations and you have not received a text message, please feel free to contact us on 0113 8433101 or via email at schoolimmsteam@nhs.net
The current year 9 pupils will be receiving their second dose HPV vaccination alongside their routine year 9 teenage boosters so you do not need to contact us about this. The consent that you completed for HPV whilst they were in year 8 remains valid for their second dose and you do not need to complete another one of these.
Please note with the current backlog of vaccinations due to the Covid 19 pandemic causing school closures, there will only be 1 opportunity for your child to be vaccinated in school. The team may not currently be able to make a phone call to you on the day to take a verbal consent, therefore, it is VITAL you fill in the online intent form as soon as possible so you do not have to attend a clinic in your own time.
GP practices do not routinely offer the year 8 and 9 immunisations as they are provided as a school based program.
The School Immunisation Team now use online consent forms. There are many benefits of this including making the process easier for parent/carers, avoiding paper forms being lost in school bags and reduces our carbon foot print.
Here is the online consent form and information about the vaccination for year 8. You will need the unique school code from the letter you have been sent from school.
Here is the link for the intent form and information about the Year 9 DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio) booster and Meningitis ACWY vaccination. You will need the unique code from the letter you have been sent from school.
If you do not have the information regarding your school’s individual code or If you have any questions you can email us on schoolimmsteam@nhs.net or call on 0113 8433101 and we will be happy to help in any way.
The primary aim of the team is to promote and deliver immunisations to increase vaccine uptake through various health promotion activities and planned sessions within schools and community clinics.
The main vaccines delivered are:
-
The HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination course: two vaccinations - each given at least 6 months apart - This is offered to all pupils in the current year 8 cohort. You can find more information about the HPV vaccination on the GOV.UK website.
-
The School Leaver boosters (compromising of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio and Meningitis ACWY) are offered to all children in the current academic Year 9.
-
We also take the opportunity to check that Year 9 children are up to date with their MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccinations and offer this vaccine if they are not already up to date.
The vaccinations we offer are part of a school-based vaccination programme and we go to all high schools in Leeds to offer vaccinations on site. Home educated children are invited to have their vaccinations at a community clinic by appointment.
You can find more information about immunisations on the NHS website.
Referrals for older year groups
If your child is currently in year 11 and you believe they have missed their vaccinations, please contact your GP in the first instance to ask about these being caught up at your surgery.
If your child is currently in year 10 please contact the school immunisation team to discuss making an appointment with us at one of our community clinics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Immunisation Schedule in Leeds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yes. If your child is not acutely unwell at the time of receiving the vaccine, they can still produce an immune response providing them with protection from the disease/s vaccinated against.
It is important that anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 remains isolated in line with national recommendations to ensure that they do not infect others and contribute to further spread of the virus even if asymptomatic.
QCan the School Immunisation Team maintain Covid-19 safety while administrating vaccines in schools?
Yes. All of our staff wear personal protective equipment (PPE), are trained in Infection Control and carry out Lateral Flow Testing twice weekly. We work with schools to promote social distancing, ensure that the space is well ventilated and high traffic areas are cleaned regularly.
The Vaccination Advisory Committee recommends a spacing of 6-24 months which we are adhering to.
A number of studies have been done to look at the effects of giving various combinations of vaccines, and when every new vaccine is licensed this means it has been tested along with the vaccines already recommended for a particular aged child. The recommended vaccines have been shown to be as effective and safe in combination as they are individually.
We encourage you to contact our School Immunisation Team to discuss this. Our qualified and experienced Nurses can answer any specific concerns you may have and discuss options with you if needed.
Recommendations for the age at which vaccines should be administered are informed by the age-specific risk for a disease, the risk of disease complications, the ability to respond to the vaccine and the impact on spread in the population. The schedule should therefore be followed as closely as possible. However, receiving the DTP and Men ACWY later in the academic year or following academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic will not reduce the effectivity of the vaccine or the protection it provides.
No, consent forms are still effective as NHS Public Health England state that consent remains valid unless the individual who gave it withdraws it or in the event there are any new risks or a new drug becoming available. If you have concerns about consent, please contact us.
They will be offered the opportunity to attend a community clinic and our team will be in touch with you.
No, we plan to deliver the planned schedule for those entering year 8 in September 2021 unless national Covid-19 guidance changes.
www.leedscommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk
www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations
You can also contact us:
Tel: 0113 8433101
8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday
Email: schoolimmsteam@nhs.net
We offer a citywide service but operate out of:
Woodhouse Health Centre
Cambridge Road
LS6 2SF
Tel: 0113 8433101
8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday
Email: schoolimmsteam@nhs.net
We offer a citywide service but operate out of:
Woodhouse Health Centre
Cambridge Road
LS6 2SF
We are currently reviewing our website to make all content accessible. If you are looking for a download, such as a leaflet or booklet that you can no longer find, please contact the service on the details above.
