School vaccine catch-up clinics are big success
FOR HUNDREDS OF PUPILS WHO MISSED HPV, FLU AND OTHER JABS
SCHOOL wasn’t out for summer as more than 1,220 pupils attended catchup immunisation clinics.
The sessions, for pupils who missed out on their original appointments for HPV, flu or teenage booster and meningitis ACWY vaccines, due to Covid-19 or other issues such as illness, were held over the holidays at five venues across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, including at schools and community halls.
More than 1,220 young people received an immunisation from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s (LPT) community immunisation service, with 810 of those getting their HPV vaccine.
James, 14, one of the students who was unable to get his vaccine last year, went to a catch-up clinic.
His mum, Sarah, said: “I’m really grateful these sessions have been put on. Unfortunately, James wasn’t able to get his HPV vaccine last year due to being off poorly, so it was such a relief to know he had this opportunity.
“The clinics were very well organised and I was really blown away by the professional and caring approach of the staff.”
James said the experience “was fine” and added: “It felt the same as having it at school, really.”
The school immunisation service is now about to embark on the new vaccination schedule for the next school year, beginning with the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for young people in Year 8 this week.
Helen Thompson, director of families, young people and children’s services and learning disability services, at LPT: “There are more than 200 strains of HPV, but some are more harmful than others and can lead to cancerous cells.
“Research shows that giving the vaccine to people in their early teens is the best time to have the vaccine and allows young people to have time to build up resistance and protection against various cancers, including cervical cancer, some mouth and throat cancers and some cancers of the anal and genital areas.
“I’d really encourage parents to fill out their child’s consent form to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.”
The vaccine is administered via a small injection at the top of the arm which only takes a few seconds.
Two doses are required to give full protection, and these are normally offered between six and 24 months apart for maximum effectiveness.
The vaccination programme targets 12 and 13 year-olds in Year 8, since as they grow their levels of resistance will also increase.
More information about the HPV vaccine for young people can be found on our Health For Teens website: