If you have any questions read our FAQs below.
We are a team a specially trained nurses and support staff who have vast experience in delivering immunisations to School aged children within school and community settings.
Our nurses are used to working in busy environments and using many different methods to ensure that children and young people have the most positive experience possible when receiving their vaccination.
We strongly advocate that this should be a positive experience, ensuring that the children and young people understand fully the benefits of vaccinations and feel part of the process themselves to support them in making healthy choices about their futures.
We work in small local teams to build strong relationships with 'our schools and communities' whilst also working within a wider team to ensure that expertise and learning is shared and we are able to support each other to ensure that we are always striving to deliver the safest and best service for our children, young people and the community.
We believe in protecting the environment and this is a clear way to reduce the use of paper. With e-consent the information that is required is confidentially processed in a safe manner with no risk of lost forms, information being altered, they are quick to fill in and easy to process.
You will receive confirmation when the form is completed and further confirmation when your child has been vaccinated, again avoiding any confusion as to whether they have received the vaccine or not.
If you do have any queries or difficulties accessing the form then please don't hesitate to contact the team.
Here are some of our frequently asked questions.
Generally, all adolescent school-aged vaccinations are provided by the school immunisation team. This includes Human Papilloma Virus in Year 8 and Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio (DTP) and Meningits ACWY (MenACWY) 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.
You can provide consent for the vaccination up to the day of the session. Further opportunities will be provided in school, or you can take you child to a community clinic if you prefer. You will be provided with details of how to book an appointment if your child misses the session in school.
Your child can still receive their immunisation when the team next attend their school, or you can book an appointment 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. Please ensure that your child is aware of your final decision and provide 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, please discuss it with your child’s GP or consultant to ensure it is safe for them to receive the vaccination at the current time and document this on their form.
All vaccines can cause side effects, but studies suggest they are generally mild and soon settle.
Injected vaccines can cause:
All vaccinations can cause:
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. Further advice can be found at: www.nhs.uk.
Our team report 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. This is when your child has an illness that affects the whole body and they would usually present with a high temperature.
If your child is not well enough to attend school, then our team will make arrangements to see them the next time we visit, or you will be given information on how to book into a community clinic if we are not returning to their school.
Generally, if they are well enough to be in school, they are usually well enough to be vaccinated.
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 product 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.
We only ask for this information if it is needed to ensure the correct intervals between vaccinations. Please note that we do not have access to your child’s GP records, so we may not be aware of their previous vaccination date unless you advise us.
Yes. Once you have submitted the consent you will receive an email to let you know we have received it and a PDF copy of the form that you have completed.
Please email us on support@riviam.zendesk.com. Please don't put any personal details in as this email is not for clinical issues.
Please contact the immunisation team who will be able to assist.
If you still have questions about our service or immunisations, please get in touch with us using the information below.
Call Single Point of Access on 0300 247 0082 or email VCL.Immunisations@nhs.net0300 247 0082 or email VCL.Immunisations@nhs.net