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Health and wellbeing

Clinics to take place in Walsall offering the MMR vaccine for children

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Vaccination clinics have been set up in Walsall to ensure children are up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

MMR Clinics

The first clinic will take place on Friday 29 March between 10am and 2pm at South and Central Hub, Birchills Street, Walsall, WS2 8NF.  

More clinics will take place in April, June and July at Family Hubs across the borough: 

  • Saturday 20 April, 10:00 - 14:00, West Family Hub, Ilmington House, Crescent Road, Wednesbury, WS10 8AE 

  • Saturday 1 June, 10:00 - 14:00, North Family Hub, 275 Blakenall Lane, Blakenall, Walsall WS3 1HJ 

  • Saturday 29 June, 10:00 - 14:00, South and Central Hub, Birchills Street, Walsall, WS2 8NF 

  • Saturday 6 July, 10:00 - 14:00, North Family Hub, 275 Blakenall Lane, Blakenall, Walsall WS3 1HJ 

The clinics will be staffed by trained healthcare professionals from the NHS and Vaccination UK who specialise in childhood vaccinations and follow all necessary safety protocols. Children will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the clinics. 

The DTP vaccine, which provides protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) and the MenACWY vaccine, which helps protect against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), are also available at these clinics. Both vaccines are given to children aged 13 or 14 (school year 9 or 10). 

Parents and guardians of children who have missed or delayed one of these childhood vaccines are being encouraged to come forward. Appointments can be booked by calling 01922 902035. 

For information about measles, what to look out for, and what to do if you think you or your child has measles, please see: Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

“ Measles is a serious and highly infectious disease that can lead to severe complications. We are seeing an increase in measles cases within the Borough currently. Getting vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect you and your family and now is the time to check if you’re fully vaccinated.

We want to make sure all children and their families in Walsall are protected, so please don’t delay in coming forward if you are due or have missed a dose. It is never too late to catch up. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, with the option to have a vaccine that does not contain pork products. Our clinics offer a convenient way for families to get their children vaccinated against childhood illnesses. “

Nadia Inglis, Interim Director of Public Health
Walsall Council

“ Measles is a serious but entirely preventable disease that spreads easily between unvaccinated people, in particular children. It’s highly contagious, so even a small decline in MMR vaccine uptake can lead to a significant rise in cases, which is why it’s absolutely vital that we ensure all children have the maximum protection.

“It’s understandable that parents may be worried about getting their child vaccinated, however childhood vaccines are safe and effective and offer the best protection for children. For decades, vaccinations have protected our children and young people from potentially serious diseases and by the time they leave school, a child will have been offered vaccinations against numerous different diseases or infections.

So, if your child has missed a vaccination, please contact your nearest clinic and book an appointment – it’s never too late to catch up. “

Dr Fiona Rose, local GP and Clinical Director for Quality and Safety for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board

In addition to the above clinics, two GP practices in Walsall are offering MMR vaccination clinics on Saturday 29 March at Pinfold Health Centre, Bloxwich (WS3 3JP) from 10am to 1pm, and also at Broadway Medical Centre (WS1 3HD) from 1pm to 4:30pm.

These two clinics are open to eligible patients who were born after 1970, have not received both doses of the MMR vaccine and are registered with a participating Walsall-based GP practice. Patients can book an appointment for these clinics by calling 01922 501999. 

 

ENDS 

Notes to editor: 

  • The NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board issued a press release on Friday 22 March about vaccination clinics set up across the Black Country to ensure children are up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine: https://blackcountry.icb.nhs.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/mmr-vaccination-clinics-children  

  • Measles is a highly infectious disease which can lead to serious complications such as severe lung infections and inflammation of the brain. It can spread quickly among communities, particularly schools and nurseries, if children have not had two dose the MMR vaccine. 

  • All children are invited for their first MMR vaccine on the NHS when they turn one. The second dose is given when they reach three years and four months of age. Having two doses of the vaccine provides the best protection against MMR and adults and older children can be vaccinated at any age if they have not been fully vaccinated before. 

  • In the UK, there are two types of MMR vaccine – MMR VaxPro® and Priorix®. Priorix® does not contain pork gelatine and both vaccines are available at the clinics. 

  • Those who are unsure if they, or their child, are up to date with all their routine vaccinations can confirm their vaccine status by checking their child’s Red Book (personal child health record) or by contacting their GP practice. 

  • Watch this video to hear from Nadia Inglis, Interim Director of Public Health at Walsall Council about measles and getting the MMR Vaccine

  • For more information on measles visit the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board website.   

 

 

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