We have created a video explaining the importance of vaccinations to improve vaccine uptake across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).
Vaccination rates have been falling across the UK for the past few years.
Our School Aged Immunisation Service, which delivers the national school-age immunisation programme for childhood flu, human papilloma virus (HPV), meningococcal ACWY, and the diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster (Td/IPV) across BNSSG, secured NHS funding to create a video about the importance of vaccinations.
The School Aged Immunisation Team worked with a Bristol school who featured in the video to show young people what vaccines they will be offered, what this protects them from, and what a vaccination session looks like.
Different versions of the video have been created with verbal translations in Urdu, Somali, Arabic and Polish, as well as a British Sign Language version.
Alix Towson, Lead for School Aged Immunisations at Sirona, said: “Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases. We are working with our partners and communities to improve uptake of school aged vaccinations across BNSSG to ensure as many young people as possible are protected from serious illnesses.
“Children and young people are offered several vaccinations during their school years. These vaccines offer protection to young people, their loved ones and vulnerable people in the community.
“We offer these vaccinations in school to make it as easy as possible for children and young people to attend. If your child does not attend school, or missed their school session, they can book an appointment at one of our community clinics.”
Sirona’s School Aged Immunisation Team was one of the only areas in the country to improve uptake of the flu vaccine this winter. They did this by running engagement sessions in schools to raise awareness; organising vaccination sessions in mosques and community venues; and offering the injectable vaccine alongside the nasal spray in secondary schools and special schools.
You can find out more about the national school aged immunisation programme on the NHS website. For more details about Sirona’s School Aged Immunisation team, visit their web page.
