Parents of children born after 1 January 2020, have you heard about the changes to the childhood immunisation schedule? Which helps to prevent children from getting serious diseases that can cause long-term health problems.
The NHS has announced the following important changes.
What you need to know
This change to the schedule is being made because the pneumococcal vaccine used since 2006 has been so successful. High uptake of this very effective vaccine has resulted in excellent control of the types of pneumococcal bacteria that the vaccine protects against.
From 1 January 2020, one dose of the pneumococcal vaccination (PCV) will be removed from the childhood immunisation schedule. Instead of three injections at the eight and 16 weeks appointment (and one at 12 weeks), babies will now receive only two injections at each of these appointments, plus rotavirus by mouth at eight and 12 weeks. All babies born on or after 1 January 2020 will receive their first dose of the pneumococcal vaccine with their other infant vaccinations at 12 weeks of age and a booster dose of this vaccine on or after their first birthday.
The GP Care Group's Health Visiting Team has been briefed on changes to the schedule and wants to make sure that your child is protected against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Jenny Gilmour, the Care Group's Clinical Director of Integrated 0-19 Services Health Visiting & School Health and Wellbeing said:
"This is good news for babies across Tower Hamlets as they will receive immunisation against the diseases with stated vaccines through fewer injections. The evidence supports this new schedule which will still provide good protection for individual children and the wider community. We encourage all families to have their babies immunised for these positive results."
For more information about the childhood immunisation schedule click here
