Vaccinations up to date?

MORE THAN 6,000 of Sheffield’s children hae started school for the first time this week. And around 5,900 of these are up to date with their vaccinations.

Throughout the next few weeks, parents and carers in the region will receive their child’s school entry health screening information from the Sheffield School Nursing Service. This will ensure that all children are protected from contagious illnesses such as MMR and meningitis.

Children should have been vaccinated against Dipththeria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Haemophilus influenza type B infection, Meningitis C, Pneumococcal infection, Measles Mumps and Rubella by the time they start school. These vaccines take place at various stages throughout the early years of a child’s life.

Richard Oliver, a lead GP at NHS Sheffield, said: “In Sheffield we are really pleased that so many parents and carers are recognising the importance of immunisations but if you have missed one, it’s never too late to get immunised as catch-up jabs can be arranged through your school nurse or GP practice.”

For further information on the MMR vaccination go to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or call 0845 46 47.

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