Improving the uptake of childhood immunisations
How is the childhood vaccination programme delivered?
In England, NHS England are responsible for planning and commissioning children’s vaccination programmes.
They work closely with the:
· UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) who provide expert advice and scientific guidance around immunisation programmes.
· Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who provide expert recommendations on vaccination schedules and the introduction of new vaccines based on scientific evidence. Their advice helps shape national policy and ensures that vaccination programs are effective and safe.
Infant and preschool vaccinations are mainly delivered via General Practice, who will send out invitations to parents or caregivers to have vaccinations when they are due.
School aged immunisations are mainly delivered in school settings or community-based clinics, these immunisations are delivered by school aged immunisations teams.
Vaccinations are sometimes offered in other NHS settings.
There are also community-based offers for some childhood vaccinations that are delivered via other NHS services, for example the Living Well Bus.
Key messages about childhood vaccinations
Key messages about the childhood vaccinations
Prof Sally Sheard from Liverpool University shares a message about the childhood vaccination programme.
Recommendations
It is important to recognise how we can work together to support uptake of childhood vaccinations.
We think the following recommendations will help to support this work.
- Utilise the functions of the Sefton Health Protection Forum to review childhood immunisation uptake in Sefton, identifying trends and areas for further focus, with an in-depth review of the programmes at least once each year.
- Set up a Health Protection Forum Sub-Group for Immunisations, including wider partners, to develop and support work to address barriers to accessing immunisations for children in Sefton, including ways we can tailor the local offer for underserved communities.
- Build partnerships with academic partners so that evidence around improving vaccination uptake can be translated into local action through collaboration.
- Support partners in Sefton who work with pregnant women, children, young people and their families, so that they have access to the latest information on the childhood vaccination programme, so that we can support parents, carers and young people to make informed decisions about vaccinations.