New Bookmark Helps Support Childhood Vaccinations in East Riding

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is encouraging parents and carers to check their child’s vaccinations are up to date.

East Riding public health has created a handy checklist bookmark which can be kept on a noticeboard, fridge or diary as a visual reminder of the key times a child should be vaccinated, from the first weeks up into the early teens. The bookmark also overviews the recommended NHS vaccinations during pregnancy.  

The vaccination bookmark project is part of a wider public health campaign to help educate and remind parents and carers about why NHS vaccinations are so important and advise residents to speak to trusted health professionals, such as their midwife, health visitor or GP, if they have any questions or concerns.

Over the past week the bookmarks have been going out in primary school bags across the East Riding, and they will also be available in libraries and other community spaces in the coming weeks.

The East Riding has a good uptake in childhood vaccinations overall, but there are concerns that less families are coming forward for the routine free NHS vaccinations since the pandemic, both regionally and nationally.

The council says:

"We have already seen the impact of a reduced uptake over the last couple of years, with a number of measles outbreaks across England – resulting in a national campaign for people to check they have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. 

Lower levels of vaccination coverage in our schools, nurseries and communities has led to the return of diseases we have rarely seen or heard about, such as whooping cough."

Zoe Stevens, public health nurse consultant for East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: 

“Together with our local health partners, we want to get everyone talking about vaccinations – not just parents and carers, but grandparents and young people themselves, so residents can make an informed choice, ask questions and most importantly, access up-to-date and trusted information about their safety, how they work and how they are tested, from health professionals such as the NHS, our school nurses and midwives.

“We know we are more at risk of diseases at certain points in our life – when pregnant, undergoing treatment for health reasons, heading to university, travelling abroad or as we get older. For this reason, it is important to check you and your loved ones are fully vaccinated to help protect from illness, disease or viruses – please check your child’s red book or ask your GP if you are unsure.”  

The council says

"When you have a baby, keeping them safe and well is a priority. Vaccination is one of the most important things we can do to protect their health – starting with the first vaccinations given by your GP at 8, 12 and 16 weeks, then again after their first birthday, and finally pre-school boosters a few months after they turn 3 years old. GPs will also provide the nasal flu spray vaccine to 2- to 3-year-olds.  

Once a child starts school, our schools’ vaccination provider Vaccination UK will pick-up both yearly flu vaccines and adolescent vaccinations in East Riding primary and secondary schools.  

The adolescent vaccination sessions are normally offered during the Spring term so look out for the consent forms for HPV (boys and girls), the teenage booster and MenACWY vaccine in Year 8 and 9. Clinics will also be offered to those who are home-schooled in East Riding and Hull, as well as catch-up clinics for anyone who misses their school one.  

If you have any questions or concerns about the in-schools vaccination programme, please speak to your school nurse or contact our friendly local team who will be happy to help, by emailing hullandeastriding@v-uk.co.uk or calling 01482 453690."

If parents have any questions regarding childhood and pregnancy vaccinations after reading the bookmark, they are advised to head to the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations or speak to a trusted health professional for the latest advice and guidance.