Date published: 23 November 2022
Liverpool children who may have missed one of their routine immunisations at their GP will have the chance to catch up with a series of clinics being held over the next month.
Mersey Care's School Immunisation Team will be hosting a series of weekly ‘catch-up clinics’ offering children in Liverpool any childhood immunisations that may be overdue.
Most routine childhood immunisations will be available at these clinics – including pre-school boosters, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), and meningitis. The annual nasal flu vaccination will also be available for primary aged children who may have missed their session in school.
Nikki Wilinski, Mersey Care's Vaccination & Immunisation Team Leader, said: “It’s really important childhood vaccines are given on time as this will provide your child with the best possible protection against diseases – but it’s never too late to be worthwhile catching up.
“If your child has missed any of their vaccinations, whether it was at your GP practice or a clinic at school, we’d really encourage you to make the most of these sessions – drop in and get them fully protected.”
No appointment is necessary at the clinics, which will be held at the County Children's Centre, Arnot Street, in Walton, and children will be seen on a first come, first served basis but only for vaccinations that are overdue. If your child is due to have a vaccination soon but hasn’t been invited yet, please wait for an appointment invitation as normal.
If you are unsure whether your child is up to date on all of their childhood vaccinations, you can check in their NHS Red Book, or by contacting The School Immunisation Team on 0151 295 3833 or your GP practice.
More information about the vaccinations provided under the NHS Childhood Immunisations Programme, and when each one is due, on the NHS website.
Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council added: “Thanks to the NHS Childhood Immunisation Programme, many dangerous and life-threatening diseases, such as polio, tetanus, diphtheria, measles and mumps, have virtually disappeared in the UK.
“But they'[e still around in many other countries throughout the world – and in the UK, they are only kept at bay by our high immunisation rates. That’s why it’s so important that we all keep protecting our children with life-saving vaccines.
“If your child is not fully up to date on all of their immunisations and boosters, I would strongly urge you to take full advantage of these catch up clinics and get them fully protected. If you are unsure as to your child’s vaccination status, please check their red book or ask your GP.”