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Health and wellbeing

Walsall parents urged to protect children with routine vaccinations as new school term begins

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With the new school term underway and childhood infections like measles and whooping cough on the rise, parents and carers in Walsall are being urged to ensure their children are up to date with their vaccinations.

Image depicts a woman hugging her daughter. Text reads: protect your child against measles, mumps and rubella by contacting their GP practice to book their MMR vaccine.

Childhood infections can cause serious complications. The infections can cause a child to miss out on school due to time spent unwell, end up in hospital and even experience life-long complications.

The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is one of the many vaccinations offered for free on the NHS and it is safe and effective. 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.

The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is also offered for free on the NHS and is routinely given to babies and younger children. Pregnant women should also have the whooping cough vaccine. 

To help people come forward, clinics offering the MMR vaccine will be taking place this month: 

  • Pinfold Health Centre, Bloxwich (WS3 3JP) - Saturday 20 and 27 April, both days between 1:30pm and 4:30pm 

  • Broadway Medical Centre (WS1 3HD) - Saturday 27 April from 10am to 4pm. 

The above clinics are open to those born after 1970 who haven't received both doses and are registered with a participating Walsall-based GP practice. Appointments can be booked by calling 01922 501999. 

A clinic will also take place on Saturday 20 April from 10am to 2pm at the West Family Hub (Ilmington House, Crescent Road, Wednesbury, WS10 8AE) for all eligible children who are due or have missed a dose of the MMR vaccine. The DTP vaccine and the MenACWY vaccine will also be available at this clinic. Appointments can be booked by calling 01922 902035. 

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

“ We know your child’s health is your top priority and so protecting them from serious disease is incredibly important. If your child is not vaccinated, they are not protected. Therefore, I urge parents in Walsall to check their child is up to date with their vaccines including MMR. Although it is important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, if you or your child have missed a vaccine, it is never too late to catch up. You can check your child’s red book (personal child health record) or contact your GP practice to find out your immunisation status, and to book an appointment. You can also visit an upcoming vaccination clinic to catch up on any missed doses. “

Nadia Inglis, Interim Director of Public Health
Walsall Council

For more on 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)

ENDS 

Notes to editor: 

  • 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. 
  • Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems. It's important for babies and children to get vaccinated against it, as well as pregnant women. For more information about whooping cough and the vaccine, visit the NHS website: Whooping cough - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
  • 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 available at the West Family Hub clinic on Saturday 20 April and other clinics advertised on the NHS Black Country ICB website. Both vaccines are given to children aged 13 or 14 (school year 9 or 10).
  • 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 including the MMR vaccination clinics visit the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board website.   

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