The NHS in Lincolnshire is supporting European Immunisation Week, which runs from 21st to 27th April 2024, the aim of which is to increase vaccination uptake by raising awareness of the importance of vaccinations amongst parents, carers and the families of children.
Vaccinations are quick, safe and extremely effective, and are an important step in protecting your child against a range of serious and potentially fatal diseases.
Once your child has been vaccinated against a disease their body can fight it more effectively. However, if children are not vaccinated they will have an increased risk of catching the illness.
There will be some children who are unavoidably unprotected because:
- they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons
- they are too young to be vaccinated
- they cannot get to the vaccination service
- the vaccine does not work (though this is rare)
If more parents have their children vaccinated then more children in the community will be protected against an illness and this in turn lowers the chance of a disease breakout.
“As health professionals we would encourage all parents to ensure that their children are being protected against a range of serious and potentially fatal diseases through the free vaccinations offered at their local GP practice,” comments Jennie Clements, Lead Nurse, Health Protection, NHS Lincolnshire ICB.
Although overall uptake of vaccines has historically been good, in recent years levels of uptake of some key vaccinations, including the MMR, HPV, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) vaccines, has dropped significantly, leaving some children in the population unprotected against diseases that can be protected against.
For more information on vaccinations, why they are important and how to get them visit Vaccinations – NHS (www.nhs.uk) and for a detailed childhood vaccination schedule visit NHS vaccinations and when to have them – NHS (www.nhs.uk).