All year 10 pupils in the borough to receive diphtheria, tetanus and polio boosters
Young people at all comprehensive schools across Hounslow are being vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus and polio starting from the 2 February, 2010.
The vaccinations are being offered by schools nurses employed by NHS Hounslow to protect teenagers and students against these diseases. The first three doses are given when the child is a baby, and the fourth dose as the pre school booster between the ages of 3-5 years.
The School Leavers Booster is the fifth and final dose and will complete the child’s routine childhood immunisation programme
NHS Hounslow’s Immunisation Team Leader/School Nurse, Audrey Morris said, "Effective immunisation programmes are vital for keeping our community healthy. We would like all young people to have maximum protection as they reach adulthood.
Successful immunisation programmes result in a fall in the number of cases of infectious diseases; this is why it is extremely important for young people to receive their booster doses for diphtheria, tetanus and polio prior to leaving school."
Audrey added “The immunisation nurses will be able to give the booster in school if the consent form is completed and returned. Also the nurses will be able to offer advice on any health related issues.”
The national immunisation programme has meant that dangerous diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and polio have practically disappeared in the UK, but these diseases could well come back. The diseases are still around in other parts of Europe and throughout the world. In the UK most of these diseases are kept at bay by the high immunisation rates.
NHS Hounslow has a statutory responsibility for protecting the health of their populations. Immunisations and vaccine preventable infectious diseases remain one of the most effective measures that exist to protect the community's health.
More information can be obtained from the immunisation team or the GP surgery. Also visit the website at www.immunisation.nhs.uk or NHS Choices www.nhs.uk or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
February 3, 2010
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