Vaccination on offer for at-risk children

CHILDREN at risk of contacting a life-threatening illness after slipping through the cracks of the vaccination system can get up catch-up doses in Hull over the coming two weeks.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Mar 2010, 13:24 BST
Updated 8th Mar 2010, 13:24 BST

Extra immunisation clinics have been announced by NHS Hull for children who have missed any of their routine childhood vaccinations.

Nurse Consultant Kathleen Young said: "Our ongoing immunisation programme means that when children become eligible for a particular vaccination their GP sends them an invitation to come to the surgery and have the vaccine.

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"Not everyone can attend at the time though, and sometimes it gets forgotten about altogether. This can leave a child at risk of contracting a number of serious childhood diseases."

She underlined even if a child was missing only one of a course of vaccinations, they were not protected from threats such as measles, polio and meningitis C. "So it is vital that parents ensure their child's vaccination programme is up to date as soon as possible," she added.

Extra clinics have been arranged at health centres across the city and parents of a child who has missed one or more vaccinations, can contact the Child Health Team for an appointment.

Children who had not been immunised were at much greater risk of serious illness, said Ms Young:

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Extra clinics take place on Thursday at Clarendon Health Centre and on Friday at Westbourne NHS Centre and Newington Health Care Centre.

Sessions are also planned on Tuesday March 16 at Marmaduke Health Centre and the following day at Alexandra Health Care Centre.

To make an appointment, please contact the Child Health Team on 01482 617953 or 617784.

Related topics:VaccinationHull