For immediate release
Children in Cornwall to be given immunisations in school for first time
Changes to childhood immunisations programme aim to increase low uptake in Cornwall
Immunisations for school aged children in Cornwall are to be given in schools, starting this autumn (2016).
The routine immunisations include child flu for all children in year 1, 2 3, HPV for girls in years 8 & 9, 3-in-1 adolescent booster for everyone in year 9 and the MeningitisVaccine MenACWY for everyone in year 9 & 11.
Cornwall is only one of two areas in England where immunisations for school aged children were given by GPs in local practices but with uptake lower than national levels NHS England, working in partnership with schools, took the decision to move provision into schools.
Kernow Health Community Interest Company (CIC) was successful in gaining the contract which will see local practice nurses and community nurses going into schools to vaccinate children in Cornwall.
Immunisations in a school setting are proven to increase uptake, and have many benefits, including:
· High numbers of children in one place at the same time all being vaccinated at the same time increasing immunity
· Particular advantages for children in rural areas, where GP surgeries tend to be further away
· Less reliance on parents organising GP appointments, arranging time off work and children missing school
Julie Yates, Consultant in Public Health – Screening and Immunisation Lead for NHS England South West said:
“This should make a real difference by protecting more Cornish children against serious illness. The number of children being immunised in Cornwall falls below the national average, putting it 117th out of 119 English local authorities outside London for uptake of HPV, for example.
“Last year only a third of Year 1 and a quarter of Year 2 children received the flu vaccination in Cornwall, which was considerably lower** than areas giving flu vaccination through schools”.
Dr Caroline Court, Interim Director of Public Health Cornwall and Isles of Scilly said:
“We are very pleased that this programme will be offered in schools across Cornwall. Immunisations are important in protecting against a variety of diseases, to which children and young people are particularly susceptible. This new programme will allow us to offer a better level of protection to our young people for a range of infections that still circulate and can cause significant illness”.
More information and consents forms from Kernow CIC will come out to parents directly via their child’s school. For more information visit: www.nhs.uk search ‘child vaccinations’.
-ends-
Background:
1. Child Immunisation uptake rates in Cornwall:
· Uptake rates in Cornwall are below the national average.
· Cornwall was the only local authority/CCG area in the South West where all school aged immunisations were delivered by GPs.
· Cornwall was one of only two local authority/CCG area in the country where all school aged immunisations were delivered by GPs.
· Immunisation uptake is reported to be higher when immunisations are delivered in a school setting, due to easier access for the child and the ease of implementing call and recall systems (i.e. invitations) in the school setting.
· School age immunisations have been delivered by GPs in Cornwall since 2008, when HPV was first introduced.
· The data for school-age immunisations is not readily available for all immunisations; HPV is the only vaccination which is nationally published each year.
HPV – uptake rates
· Uptake rates for the 2014/15 academic year of the first dose of HPV immunisation in Cornwall was 81.4%. The England average was 89.4%.
· In comparison with all 119 English Local Authorities (excluding London data) in 2014/15 Cornwall is ranked 117th out of 119.
· The Isles of Scilly had the highest uptake, but also the smallest denominator figures of any local authority (100% uptake of 9 eligible girls).
· The 2014/15 academic year was the first year of the new schedule where dose 1 was given in year 8, dose 2 in year 9: this means we only have uptake information for one dose.
· The GP delivered HPV programme takes longer to complete due to other pressures at practices, leaving children vulnerable for longer.
Flu – uptake rates
· (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-flu-vaccine-uptake-in-children-of-primary-school-age-winter-season-2015-to-2016 ) last year flu was delivered in school years 1 & 2 (this year this has been extended to include year 3).
· Uptake in Cornwall was similar to other areas delivering flu through GPs, but considerably lower than areas delivering flu vaccination through schools.
· The Isles of Scilly had the highest uptake, but also the smallest denominator figures of any local authority.
Local Authority / Year 1 (age 5-6 yrs.) / Year 2 (age 6-7 yrs.)Estimated total number of children eligible for vaccination / No. of children vaccinated with at least 1 dose of influenza vaccine1 / Vaccine uptake (%) / Estimated total number of children eligible for vaccination / No. of children vaccinated with at least 1 dose of influenza vaccine1 / Vaccine uptake (%)
Cornwall3 / 5,880 / 1,782 / 30.3% / 5,901 / 1,485 / 25.2%
Isles Of Scilly3 / 18 / 14 / 77.8% / 24 / 21 / 87.5%
England average** / 672,497 / 365,929 / 54.4% / 664,106 / 350,999 / 52.9%
· MenACWY and Td/IPV data is not collected nationally and we don’t have uptake figures for these vaccinations at this time.
2. Immunisations to be provided by the schools-based programme from this term:
Seasonal Influenza (flu) Vaccination (Years 1,2 and 3 – children age 5, 6 & 7)
· In the Autumn Term 2016/17, the flu intra-nasal vaccine will be available to all children in years 1, 2 and 3 attending school as part of the national Childhood Flu Vaccination Programme.
· The fluvaccine for childrenis given as a single dose ofnasal spray squirted up each nostril.Not only is it needle-free (abig advantage for children), the nasal sprayworkseven better than the injected flu vaccine with fewer side effects.
· It’s quick and painless and will mean your child is less likely to become ill if they come into contact with the flu virus.
· Further information can be foundon theNHS England website
HPV Vaccination – Preventing Cervical Cancer
· The HPV vaccination programme involves two injections, given between six and 24 months apart, and is available to all girls in year 8.
· Read more about this vaccination on theNHS England website
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio (Teenage Booster) - Year9
· Tetanusis a painful disease affecting the nervous system which can lead to muscle spasms, breathing problems and can be fatal. It is caused when bacteria found in the soil and manure get into the body through open cuts or burns.
· Diphtheriais a serious disease that usually begins with a sore throat and can quickly cause breathing problems. It can damage the heart and nervous system, and in severe cases, it can kill.
· Poliois a virus that attacks the nervous system which can cause permanent paralysis of muscles. If it affects the chest muscles or the brain, polio can kill.
· Read more about this vaccination on theNHS England website
MeningitisVaccine MenACWY (Year 9)
· Meningitis is inflammation of the lining of the brain. One of the most serious and common causes of meningitis is by meningococcal bacteria. As well as meningitis, meningococcal infection can lead to septicaemia (blood poisoning),both of whichcan be very serious or fatal.
· Teenagers are at higher risk of developing meningococcal disease and will be offered the vaccine whichprotects against four different types of Meningitis: A, C, W and Y at the same time as theTeenage Booster.
· Read more on theNHS England website
3. Immunisation schedule for the school year
· Flu – will start around mid-October and run until Christmas in primary schools (school years 1, 2 & 3)
· Secondary school ‘pilots’ – there will be 4 ‘pilots’ in mid-October to trial logistic processes in schools (for example - how to get children in and out of lessons, how to organise vaccinators, how to move around data). These will be to vaccinate year 11 students for MenACWY at the following schools: Treviglas; Helston; Liskeard, Brannel (St Stephens)
· HPV dose 1 Year 8 – from January 2017
· HPV dose 2 Year 9 – from January 2017
· MenACWY Year 11 (excluding four pilot schools) – from January 2017
· MenACWY and Td/IPV (adolescent booster) Year 9 – from January 2017
The new school-based immunisation programme will be delivered in Cornwall by Kernow Health CIC (Community Interest Company) from the beginning of the academic year 2016/17.
The childhood immunisation programme on the Isles of Scilly has above average uptake rates and will continue to be given in other community health settings.
NHS England commissions the schools-based immunisation programme.