It’s never too late to catch up on immunisations for your child

Every child deserves the best start in life – and that starts with protecting them against a range of unpleasant and often serious childhood diseases. In recent years we have seen a gradual decline in uptake of childhood immunisations in West Sussex, so it’s important that children get vaccinated when they are invited to do so to help to protect them. As we came out of the Covid-19 pandemic your local GP practice has worked hard by continuing to offer eligible children vaccination appointments to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations and fully protected.

Many childhood vaccines are given more than once, at different ages and in different combinations. Keeping track of the different vaccines your child needs in their first 5 years can be difficult. Family life, work and other commitments can mean that as a parent you might have missed an appointment or struggled to find the time to make a new appointment or to attend.

Ensuring your child has their vaccinations at the right time gives them the best protection, but the good news is it’s never too late to catch up on any vaccinations your child has missed. Vaccinations can be rescheduled, and every child is still entitled to their jab, even if they have missed an appointment. Vaccinations are offered free of charge in the UK, simply call your GP to book an appointment.

Why vaccines are important

Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect your child from childhood diseases. They protect you, your child and other members of your family from a range of unpleasant and often serious childhood diseases. Vaccination prevents up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year. They also protect other people in your community by helping diseases stop spreading to other people. Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people have either disappeared or are seen very rarely. Other diseases like measles and diphtheria have been reduced by up to 99.9% since their vaccines were introduced. Unfortunately, if people stop having vaccines, it’s possible for infectious diseases to quickly take hold in the community again.

8 weeks 12 weeks 16 weeks 1 year 2-10 years 3 years & 4 months

(2nd dose)

4-in-1 pre-school booster

What to do next

If you are not sure whether your child has had all their vaccines for their age:

• Check your child’s RED BOOK

• Ask your health visitor

• Contact your GP practice

To make sure they have the best protection your child should ideally have their routine jabs in line with the UK Childhood Immunisation Schedule below.

Alison Challenger

Director of Public Health West Sussex County Council

If you think your child has missed any of their vaccinations, you need to change a vaccination appointment or you’re not sure if your child is up to date with vaccination, contact your GP practice.

It’s best to have vaccines on time but you can still catch up on most vaccines if you miss them. Find out more about childhood vaccinations at: westsussex.gov.uk/childhood-immunisations nhs.uk/start4life/baby/vaccinations-andnewborn-screening-tests nhs.uk/start4life/toddler/vaccinationsand-immunisations-toddler

If your child has missed any of their vaccinations, it’s

To find out more contact your GP practice or visit westsussex.gov.uk/ childhood-immunisations