Back to school rules

24th August 2017

Parents are being urged to ensure their children are protected against measles, and other preventable illnesses, before the new school term starts.

When youngsters, who haven’t been fully immunised, start mixing with other children at school the risk of them picking up a virus is greatly increased.

During the summer, with people on holiday abroad and around the UK, exposure to viruses like measles goes up and it can then be passed on in the classroom when school restarts.

Children get the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella by having two doses of the combined MMR vaccine, which they can get from their GP or practice nurse.

Immunisation is highly effective and protects children against a wide range of diseases.

In the case of measles, to be fully immunised, children should have a jab around their first birthday and a second jab before starting school at around four years old.

Stockport was measles free for five years, thanks to a highly successful immunisation programme, but since 2010 the disease has crept back into the community. Immunisation is the safest and most effective way to protect against measles.

But it’s not just the parents of children starting school for the first time who need to check whether they are up to date with all their immunisations.

Between the ages of 12 and 14 children will be offered further vaccinations including for girls aged 12-13 the HPV vaccine to protect against cervical cancer and for teenagers aged 14 a meningitis vaccination and a booster jab against polio, diphtheria and tetanus.

Also, after the flu outbreak at several Stockport schools last winter, parents are being urged to make sure any eligible children – all 2 to 8 year old plus many older ones with long term health conditions – don’t miss out on their vaccination this year.

If you’re not sure whether your child has had all its routine vaccinations, ask your GP or practice nurse to find out for you. It may be possible to ‘catch up’ later in life.