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We are a team of immunisation nurses and admin support workers, who deliver vaccines in schools and clinics across Manchester.
We see children and young people in school or clinics to administer immunisations in line with United Kingdom schedule. During your time at high school you will receive four immunisations, two in year 8 and two in year 9.
In the UK we have one of the most successful immunisation programmes in the world. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. They prevent up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year.
Vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases.
It’s much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them. Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can often protect you for many years.
It often takes many years for a vaccine to make it through the trials and tests it needs to pass for approval.
All vaccines are thoroughly tested to make sure they will not harm you.
The HPV vaccine helps protects you from being infected with HPV. This virus increases the risk of developing some cancers later in life, such as:
• Cervical cancer
• Some mouth and throat cancers
• Some cancers of the anus
• Warts in the genital areas
Year 8 – Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Measles, Mumps and Rubella are viruses that you can catch through coughs and sneezes.
• Measles is a disease that can cause fever, sore red eyes and a rash, there is no cure or treatment for Measles. If you caught measles you would need to take around 10 days off school.
• Mumps is a disease that can cause headaches and fever and swelling of the glands at the side of your face and can last around 2 weeks. Some people develop more serious problems which last much longer.
• Rubella (sometimes called German measles) is a disease that can cause a rash, cold-like symptoms, and aching joints.
If you need this vaccine, a consent form link will be sent to your parents/carers email address.
Year 9 – Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) and Meningitis ACWY (MenACWY)
• Diphtheria – Is passed from person to person through close contact. It is a serious disease that usually begins with a sore throat and can quickly cause breathing problems. It can damage the heart and nervous system, and, in severe cases, it can kill.
• Tetanus – Is caused when germs found in soil and manure get into the body through open cuts or burns. Tetanus affects the nervous system, leading to muscle spasms and breathing problem.
• Polio – Is spread from person to person or by swallowing contaminated food or water. It attacks the nervous system, which can cause permanent paralysis of the muscles. If it affects the chest muscles or the brain, polio can kill.
• MenACWY – Meningococcal group A, C, W and Y bacteria can cause meningitis (an infection of the lining of the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning). It can spread from one person to another by droplets from the nose and mouth, for example, by coughing, sneezing, or kissing. Meningitis and septicaemia are both very serious and can cause permanent disability and death.
You will receive one dose of DTP and one dose of MenACWY in year 9.
These two injections will be given on the same day. One injection at the top of each arm.
Side effects of vaccination
Some people experience mild side effects when they have had a vaccine, these are:
• Sore or redness to the arm where the injection was inserted.
• Temperature.
• Headache.
• Nausea/vomiting.
The side effects are generally mild and usually pass with pain relief; drinking water and continue with normal daily activities.
If you would like to talk to an immunisation nurse regarding vaccines, they can be contacted on 07973698166.
Consent
• A link is sent to your parent/legal guardian – click on the link for the consent form.
• If a consent form is not returned the nurses can complete
– Telephone consent (call your parent/legal guardian)
– Gillick consent (you are assessed to see if you can consent for yourself).
More information
Further information on the vaccines you will receive in high school are available at:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/849579/PHE_11490_IMM_young_people_A5_booklet_Dec2019.pdf
