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Vaccinations at school

Find out about vaccinations for primary and secondary school age pupils.

Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect your child from becoming seriously ill.

School-age children at primary and secondary schools usually get vaccinated in school.

Your school will send you a consent link for vaccination before the start of the term. Fill this in as soon as you receive it.

If you miss the message or your child misses the vaccination day, do not worry. 

There are community catch-up clinics to get the vaccination. You do not need to book. 

Read more about preventing infectious diseases and health and wellbeing.

Primary school vaccinations

Primary school children are offered the nasal flu vaccine in the autumn term, which protects them and their families from the flu and has very mild side effects.

Some primary school children are offered polio and MMR vaccines if they missed out on them when they were younger

Your school will let you know if this is available to you.

Secondary school vaccinations

Secondary school children are offered the nasal flu vaccine in the autumn term.

Children in Year nine are offered the following vaccines during spring term:

  • MenACWY, which protects against meningitis, which can cause brain damage or death in young people
  • 3-in-1 teenage booster, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and polio
  • children who missed out on their MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccines when younger will also be offered a catch-up dose

Boys and girls in year eight are offered the HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer and a range of other cancers, during the summer term. 

If a young person missed their HPV vaccine

If a young person missed the HPV vaccine in school but is still at secondary school, you can book a slot at a catch-up clinic. 

If they missed the HPV vaccine in school and have since left secondary school to go to college or university, they can get the vaccine for free from their GP. 

This is available for girls until they're 25, and for boys born after 1 September 2006.
 

Check your child is up to date with their vaccinations

If you’re not sure if your child is up to date with their vaccinations, check their child health record (red book). 

Check when children in Southwark are due their vaccinations throughout their childhood.

Queries about immunisation and clinics

For questions about school-age immunisations or catch-up clinics, contact the Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust by: