Parents urged to catch up on children’s vaccinations at clinics this autumn

The Medical Director of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board is urging parents to vaccinate their children to prevent the outbreak of illnesses this winter.

Dr Sanhita Chakrabarti cautions that missing vaccinations could lead to the infectious diseases like measles spreading, as it has in the West Midlands and London in recent weeks.

She said: “As children return to school, so does exposure to germs in crowded classrooms.  With children sharing supplies and socialising closely, the risk of spreading illnesses can rise significantly. One of the most effective ways to protect against common infections is through vaccinations.”

Ensuring that your child is up to date with their vaccinations not only helps them build immunity but also contributes to the overall health of the school community, reducing the likelihood of outbreaks and keeping everyone safer throughout the school year.

Families with children under five years of age whose vaccinations are not up to date have been invited to attend one of a series of clinics which have been announced for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes over the coming weeks and months.

A number of clinics have been set up across the area, where vaccines can be administered and dates have been announced for the autumn term, to allow families to protect their children before starting school or nursery this September.

Dr Chakrabarti added: “There are many reasons why your child might not be up to date with their vaccinations. We understand that some families missed routine appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of those children are now in school or approaching school age.

“It’s never too late to vaccinate your child, so if families have changed their position on vaccinations, the opportunity remains available.

There will be opportunities for older children and teenagers to catch up on missed vaccinations, and dates will be made available in the coming weeks.

Parents can bookmark the Children’s immunisations page on the ICB’s website.