27 Vaccinations - Helping to protect what matters most Vaccinations are the safest way to protect all of us against serious diseases. It’s important for everyone to know what vaccines they can have, when to have them, why they are important and what to do if any have been missed. You can ‘catch up’ on most missed vaccines, whatever your age. Vaccine preventable infections can have a huge impact on your child’s life and the rest of your family. They can miss out on school due to time spent unwell, be hospitalised, and there can sometimes be devastating consequences. Declining uptake of some vaccines means that extremely infectious diseases like measles and whooping cough are spreading more easily, increasing risk to unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children. The same trends are seen across Europe and globally. Avoidable infections will increase if this continues, including in adults who do not ‘catch up’. What vaccines are advised? See www.nhs.uk/nhs-vaccinations-andwhen-to-have-them/ for recommended routine vaccines across all age groups, including seasonal vaccines. Are your child’s vaccines up to date? • Check their Red Book • Check with your GP practice Find out about vaccines and the diseases they protect against For trusted independent information about vaccines, how they work, what is in them and common side effects see https://vaccineknowledge.ox.ac.uk/home How to ‘catch up’ • Contact your GP (all ages) • The Surrey School Aged Immunisation Service deliver all immunisations due when your child is at school (and if they are home schooled) and can also advise on community catch up clinics: https://surreychildandfamily.co.uk/ services/immunisations/ Rachel Wigglesworth Director of Public Health (interim) Surrey County Council
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