School-aged immunisation programme

For the first time, this autumn all Year 7 children (in addition to all Primary school aged children) will be offered the flu vaccination.

Firstly, I want to take the opportunity to thank you and everyone in your school community for your ongoing commitment to the education, health and wellbeing of our children at this time. We know that schools have played a vital role in the response to COVID-19. The adaptability and dedication you continue to demonstrate is greatly appreciated by us all.

It is more important than ever this year that we protect our loved ones and the more vulnerable members of our community and so I am asking all schools to support the full school-age vaccination schedule. We also need to ensure that children and young people receive any vaccinations that they may have missed due to COVID-19.

The Kent and Medway Immunisation Service offer the following vaccinations to school-aged children (please note that we are now vaccinating Year 7s against flu):

Primary

• Flu vaccine for children in Years R to Year 6. This is seasonal and runs from October to December.

Secondary

• New - Year 7 - flu vaccine
• Year 8 - Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) first dose
• Year 9 - HPV second dose, meningococcal strains A, C, W and Y (MenACWY), plus diphtheria, tetanus and polio (Td/IPV)
• Year 10 - MenACWY and TdIPV catch up.

Please could you promote vaccination dates to parents and staff. We will supply a template email to send to parents and carers to inform them of the new online consent system. This will be sent around 28 days before the immunisation dates with a second reminder around 14 days before. For the Flu vaccine, this will be sent around 50 days before the immunisation dates with a second reminder around 28 days before.

In the event of low take-up in your school we may ask you to help us with targeted support for parents to give online consent.

On the day we need you to:

• Identify a large area for the team to work in while on site, preferably the school hall. Please note you should expect more staff than usual on site this year due to the numbers expected. The room should be:
  • accessible in the event of an emergency
  • large enough to accommodate the KMIS staff and students safely
  • suitably heated and ventilated
  • provide privacy for students.
  • be on the ground floor if possible.
• Make sure there are hand washing and toilet facilities – in, or near the identified room.
• Ensure that children can wait safely and keep social distancing, with arrangements discussed and agreed prior to commencing e.g. any outdoor waiting.
• Ensure children are prepared beforehand, especially younger children, so that they know what to expect. There is a short animation film to share with your pupils.
• Inform us of any specific requirements you have before or on arrival.

If you feel that this is going to be a challenge for your school, please can you contact your Area Education Officer to discuss. The immunisation team will be more than happy to discuss any issues with you too.

We would also like to make sure that children and young people receive any vaccinations that they may have missed due to COVID-19 lockdown. The service will contact you to discuss options for these children.

Thank you for your support.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Kent and Medway Immunisation Service if you require further information on:

• Phone - 0300 123 5205, or
• Email - kchft.cyp-immunisationteam@nhs.net