Reducing differences in the uptake of immunisations

This guidance is for NHS and other professionals responsible for the immunisation of children and young people. They may work in: children’s services, local authorities, education and the wider public, private, voluntary and community sectors. It may also be of interest to parents.  The guida ...

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This guidance is for NHS and other professionals responsible for the immunisation of children and young people. They may work in: children’s services, local authorities, education and the wider public, private, voluntary and community sectors. It may also be of interest to parents. 

The guidance aims to increase immunisation uptake among those aged under 19 years from groups where uptake is low. It also aims to ensure babies born to mothers infected with hepatitis B are immunised.

Recommendations 1 to 5 apply to all childhood vaccinations. Recommendation 6 focuses on the infant hepatitis B vaccination programme. They include advice to:

• improve access to immunisation services, for example, by extending clinic times and making sure clinics are ‘child-friendly’
• provide parents and young people with tailored information and support and an opportunity to discuss any concerns
• check children and young people’s immunisation status during health appointments and when they join nurseries, playgroups, schools and further education colleges, and offer them vaccinations
• ensure babies born to hepatitis B-positive mothers are given all recommended doses of the vaccine on time, a blood test to check for infection and, where appropriate, hepatitis B immunoglobulin.

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