How to get vaccinations to protect primary and secondary children
Find out what vaccines school-aged children need and how to get them. Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect your child from becoming seriously ill.
Who carries out school-age immunisations for us
Our school-age immunisations team Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust deliver vaccinations for us in both school and community catch-up clinics. They have years of experience in giving vaccines to children.
Vaccinations your child is offered at primary school
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 also being offered polio and MMR vaccines if they missed out on them when they were younger. You will be contacted by your school when this offer is available to you.
Vaccinations your child is offered at secondary school
Secondary 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.
Children in Years 9 are offered the following vaccines during spring terms:
- 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 vaccines when younger will also be offered a catch-up dose.
Fill out this form to make sure your child gets their year 9 vaccines.
During the summer term, boys and girls in year 8 will be offered the HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer, and a range of other cancers. Fill in this form to book your child’s HPV vaccine for next term.
If a young person missed the HPV vaccine in school but is still at secondary school, they can book a slot at a catch up clinic (see below).
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 until they're 25 (for girls) or for anyone born after 1 September 2006 (boys).
How to check your child’s vaccination records
If you’re unsure whether your child is up to date with their vaccinations you can check their child health record (red book). You can check when children in Southwark are due their vaccinations on this timeline.
How to make sure your child gets vaccinated
Your school will send out 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 from school, or your child misses the vaccination day, you can still go to community catch-up clinics. You can visit the community catch-up clinics without booking.
Upcoming year 9 vaccination catch-up clinics
HRCH is hosting clinics providing the Meninigitis ACWY vaccine, the polio, diphtheria and tetanus vaccine, and the MMR vaccine, for those who are not up to date in school years 9 and above. You can just turn up on the day.
Ann Bernadt Children & Family Centre, 29 Chandler Way, SE15 6DT
- Saturday 16th March, 10am to 1pm
- Saturday 23 March, 10am to 1pm
Rye Oak Children & Family Centre, Whorlton Road, Peckham, SE15 3PD
- Tuesday 2 April, 10am to 2.30pm
- Thursday 4 April, 10am to 2.30pm
- Friday 5 April, 10am to 2.30pm
- Monday 8 April, 10am to 2.30pm
- Tuesday 9 April, 10am to 2.30pm
- Wednesday 10 April, 10am to 2.30pm
Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre, 108 Stamford St, SE1 9NH
- Thursday 11 April, 10am to 2.30pm
- Friday 12 April, 10am to 2.30pm
For more information email hrch.immunisationteammailboxsouthwark@nhs.net or call 020 8614 5495 or 020 8614 5496.
Who to contact for questions about school-age immunisations
If you have any questions about school-age immunisations or the catch-up clinics, email Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust at hrch.immunisationteammailboxsouthwark@nhs.net or call 020 8614 5495 or 020 8614 5496.
Page last updated: 05 March 2024
