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Childhood immunisation programme for school age children

Ensuring children are offered and receive vaccinations is a fundamental aspect of public health. It helps to promote individual wellbeing and community resilience against preventable diseases in line with the children’s routine immunisation schedule for all children in Wales.

School nursing services, in line with the school nursing framework for Wales, will deliver the school-based programmes to all pupils in line with the standards.

Key public health messages will be delivered to eligible pupils in school during the year the vaccinations are due. By incorporating age appropriate and accurate information, school nursing services can empower pupils to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. Pupils will learn how vaccines protect them from specific diseases, promoting a proactive approach to their own health.

Immunisation standards for school nursing services

Assessment of immunisation status of all children at school entry

The vaccination status of every pupil will be checked at entry to primary school to ensure each pupil is up to date with the UK schedule for routine childhood immunisations. Information will be offered to families about how to obtain the outstanding vaccinations.

Intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)

Intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) will be offered to all eligible pupils in school in the autumn school term.

Assessment of immunisation status of all children at secondary school entry

The vaccination status of every pupil will be checked at entry to secondary school to ensure each pupil is up to date with the UK schedule for routine childhood immunisations and information offered about how to obtain the outstanding vaccinations.

National standard that all eligible pupils in school year 8 are offered the HPV vaccine

All eligible pupils in school year 8 will be offered the HPV vaccine.

All eligible young people in year 9 are offered the Td/IPV and MenACWY vaccines

All eligible pupils in school year 9 will be offered the Td/IPV and MenACWY vaccines.

The Td/IPV vaccine, also known as the "teenage booster" or the "3 in 1", is given to boost protection against 3 separate diseases:

  • tetanus
  • diphtheria
  • polio

It's a single injection given into the muscle of the upper arm.

The MenACWY vaccine helps protect you against 4 different causes of meningitis and septicaemia: meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y disease.

Opportunities will be provided for catch up vaccination for those who miss scheduled vaccinations

Opportunities will be provided for catch up vaccination for those who miss scheduled vaccinations to protect against seasonal flu, the human papillomavirus virus, tetanus, diphtheria and polio and meningitis and septicaemia (Fluenz, HPV, Td/IPV and MenACWY).