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Parents and carers across Essex are being urged to check whether their children are up to date with their vaccinations ahead of the new school year, as the NHS launches a series of summer catch-up clinics and vaccination van visits across the county.

As part of the campaign the NHS vaccination van, provided by our East of England Community and School-Aged Immunisation Service (CSAIS), will visit Chelmsford city centre throughout August, starting on Wednesday 5 August. The vaccination van will give families an easy opportunity to speak to healthcare professionals, check their child’s vaccination record and get advice about catching up on any missed vaccinations.

The campaign comes as national figures show that almost one in five children starting primary school are not fully protected against several serious diseases because they have missed their pre-school booster vaccination. Missing routine vaccinations can leave children vulnerable to illnesses such as measles, whooping cough and meningitis, which continue to circulate in England.

Routine childhood vaccinations protect against a range of serious diseases including measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, whooping cough, HPV, diphtheria, tetanus and polio.

Dr Giles Thorpe, Executive Chief Nursing Officer at NHS Essex said: "As families prepare for the new school year, checking that children are up to date with their vaccinations is one of the best things parents and carers can do to protect their health.

"Vaccinations protect children against serious illnesses such as measles, meningitis and whooping cough. They also help reduce the spread of infections in schools and the wider community.

"If your child has missed a vaccination, it’s never too late to catch up. We encourage parents and carers to check their child’s vaccination record and speak to their GP or local vaccination service if they are unsure. By acting now, families can help ensure children start the new school year protected and ready to learn."

Caroline Shepherd, Assistant Director for Child Health and Immunisation Programmes East of England CSAIS said: "If you’re unsure whether your child is up to date with their vaccinations, we encourage you to come along to one of our catch-up clinics or visit the NHS vaccination van. Our teams can check your child’s vaccination record, answer any questions and help arrange any vaccinations that may have been missed.

"By taking action now, you can help ensure your child starts the new school year protected and ready to learn.

Vaccination van dates

Our mobile immunisation van will visit Chelmsford High Street on the following dates:

• Wednesday 5 August
• Wednesday 12 August
• Monday 17 August
• Wednesday 26 August

Parents and carers can speak to healthcare professionals, check whether their child is up to date with routine vaccinations and receive advice on catching up with any missed doses.

The NHS is particularly encouraging parents and carers to check vaccination records if their child is:

• Starting school for the first time
• Moving to secondary school
• Beginning college or sixth form
• Preparing to start university
• New to the UK
• Known to have missed previous vaccination appointments

Parents and carers who are unsure whether their child is up to date can:

• Check their child’s Red Book (Personal Child Health Record)
• Use the NHS App, where vaccination records are available
• Contact their GP practice
• Speak to our community and school-aged immunisation service