Parents advised to stay on top of kids’ routine vaccinations to avoid pressure on the NHS
PARENTS are being urged to check that their children’s vaccinations are up to date to not only protect them from preventable diseases but also avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the NHS in years to come.
The Local Government Association (LGA) said a “national effort” to vaccinate children and young people will help relieve long-term pressures on the health service, while NHS England’s national director of primary care described it as “crucial that children get their jabs as normal” where possible.
A poll published at the end of June showed just 27% of parents of young children said they would feel comfortable taking their child to a medical centre such as a GP surgery for vaccinations – down from 91% pre-pandemic.
The LGA said many children and young people will have missed out on routine vaccinations due to the lockdown and that failing to ensure youngsters are vaccinated now could lead to avoidable consequences in the long term.
The organisation, which represents councils in England and Wales, said it is calling on the Government to set out its plan to ensure children get the necessary vaccinations without overwhelming settings such as GP surgeries, clinics and schools.
It added that local authorities should be given the “necessary funding” to allow their workforces to cope with demand.
Judith Blake, chairwoman of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said that, as long as people or members of their household are not displaying