Immunisation consent website

Generally, all adolescent school-aged vaccinations are provided by the school immunisation team. This includes HPV (dose 1 in year 8 and dose 2 in year 9), DTP and MenACWY (both offered in year 9). The GP can vaccinate in certain circumstances, but usually only if the child has missed their vaccinations in the school year it was due.

The annual flu vaccination is only given in school or community clinic unless your child is clinically vulnerable. In this case, you will receive an invitation from the GP to attend the surgery.

Occasionally, the team may request that vaccinations are given by the GP if it is thought to be more suitable.

Whenever possible the team will provide a second vaccination opportunity, either in school or a community clinic. Please contact the team directly for further information.

Your child can still receive their immunisation in a clinic venue, please contact the team directly for further information.

It is important that you contact the Immunisation Team immediately and speak to a member of staff.

We also advise that you contact the school if the vaccination session is planned within the next 72 hours.

Please also make sure your child is aware that you do not want them to receive the vaccination, and provide a written confirmation of this for them to share with the team.

The team will be happy to see your child in one of our community clinics. Please contact the team to discuss your requirements.

There are very few children that cannot receive their vaccinations.

However, if your child has a medical condition, it is possible that we will ask you or your child’s GP or consultant for further information to ensure it is safe for them to receive the vaccination at the current time.

All vaccines can cause side effects but studies suggest they are generally mild and settle within a day or two.

Following a vaccination injection your child may experience:

• Pain, redness, or swelling in the arm where the injection was given
• Fever
• Dizziness or fainting (fainting after any vaccine, including HPV vaccine, is more common among adolescents than others)
• Nausea
• Headache or feeling tired
• Muscle or joint pain

Further information can be found at: HPV vaccine side effects, 3-in-1 teenage booster side effects, MenACWY vaccine overview.

If you are worried about your child you can telephone 111 for non-urgent medical advice or contact your GP practice.

In an emergency please telephone 999.

Following nasal flu vaccination, children may develop the following:

• Headache
• General tiredness
• Some loss of appetite

These side effects are mild, do not last long and are much less serious than developing flu or complications associated with flu. Serious side effects are uncommon.

Further advice can be found at: Children's flu vaccine

Our team reports any post vaccination side effects that we are aware of, so please contact the Immunisation Team if you feel that we need to report any reactions experienced by your child.

Vaccinations can safely be given as long as the child is not systemically unwell.

If your child is not well enough to attend school, then our team will make arrangements to see them next time we visit. Generally if they are well enough to be in school, they are usually well enough to be vaccinated.

However, if your child is recovering from a chronic illness or recent infection, the nurse may decide to defer the vaccination until they are fully recovered. This is to ensure that any subsequent changes in their health are not wrongly attributed to the vaccination.

Yes, either Paracetamol or Ibuprofen can be safely taken to reduce symptoms from the vaccine (please follow products dosage instructions). Likewise, if your child is taking ibuprofen or Paracetamol prior to the vaccine for any reason, it is still ok to have the vaccine whilst using these two medications.

You can find further information on the NHS choices website. Alternatively, you can speak to a member of the immunisation team. Information for parents and carers is also accessible in the NHS leaflet.