What is immunisation?

Immunisation makes sure that our bodies are best-protected against some serious diseases. It means that if we come into contact with certain diseases our bodies are better-equipped to fight them off.

As a result of the UK’s national immunisation programme, a number of diseases have disappeared from the UK, such as polio. However, as they are still present in other countries, they could come back, so it is vital that we remain protected. Maintaining high immunisation rates means that we not only protect ourselves, but also our families and communities, and it helps to keep diseases at bay.

How do immunisations work?

An immunisation or vaccine contains a tiny part of the bacterium or virus that causes a disease, or tiny amounts of the chemicals the bacterium produces. By receiving vaccines, our immune systems are able to produce antibodies – substances to fight specific infections or diseases. This means if we come in to contact with the disease later on, our immune system already has the armour to recognise it and fight it off.

Are there any reasons why my child should not be immunised?

There are very few medical reasons why your child should not have a vaccine. If you are worried, talk to your school nurse or GP. If your child has had an anaphylactic reaction to a previous vaccine, you should seek advice from your GP.

Other services we offer include:

Guidance on immunisation for professionals looking after children with underlying medical conditions

Specialist immunisation advice to GP practices and other health professionals

Interventions to reduce inequalities in the uptake for special groups (travellers, looked after children, unaccompanied children asylum-seekers, unregistered children and child in need).

About the team

Our team is led by an immunisations specialist nurse who works with our school nursing service. The team work in partnership with Public Health England, GPs, the school nursing teams and local services such as health visiting, community children’s nursing teams, looked-after children's teams, the Child Development Centre and social services.

Consent process

Consent forms and information leaflets are sent out by your child’s school or direct to parents and carers at the appropriate time. Please make sure you complete the consent forms and return these to the service as the form explains.

We will always make the most effort to receive the completed consent form from parents and carers. However, if the consent form is not received, young people in secondary school are able to self-consent in certain circumstances (known as ‘Gillick Competence’) but only after an individual assessment by the immunisation nurse. The nurse will check the child meets certain guidelines, such as being able to understand the information and have capacity in order to self-consent.

The nurse will check the consent form and make sure your child is well and able to have the immunisations that day.

Who is eligible for this service?

This service is only for children between reception class and year 10 who are being educated within the boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Brent, Ealing, Hillingdon and Camden.

How can someone be referred?

All children in education are automatically referred. Parents and professionals can self-refer children by calling the service directly.