Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find out all you need to know to make an informed decision
How do vaccines protect my child?
Vaccines can be given by injection, or by taking an oral vaccine dose. They help your child’s immune system learn how to protect the body from dangerous diseases before they catch them, by mimicking an infection and teaching the body to create disease fighting antibodies.
Antibodies jump into action to keep your child safe from becoming seriously unwell by fighting disease. Vaccines train your child’s immune system, so that if they do pick up a nasty virus, their defences are strong and ready to protect your child from becoming seriously unwell.
Some vaccines are given as a single dose and provide protection for the rest of your child’s life. Other vaccines may require you to have booster jabs to protect them over time.
Staying up to date with the schedule of routine childhood vaccinations will help give your child the best protection against deadly diseases.
Is it safe to vaccinate my child?
Your child’s safety and wellbeing are extremely important to us in the NHS.
Vaccination is the safest, most effective way of protecting your child from serious illness.
Vaccines undergo intensive safety checks and are thoroughly tested before they are given to the population. This helps to make sure there is no harm to you or your child because of the vaccine. The safety measures don’t end there, vaccines are then carefully monitored, and any rare side effects are reported.
All over the world, vaccinations have helped keep children safe from the risks of deadly diseases. They have also helped so many children avoid needing hospital treatment and have saved countless lives.
What are the side effects of vaccination?
Like many medicines we take to help us to get better from illness, your child may experience some mild side effects to vaccinations, but these won’t last long.
Common mild side effects may include:
- Redness or soreness in the area where the vaccine injection has been given
- A high temperature
- Feeling a little unwell, being sick or having a lack of appetite
- Feeling upset, increased irritability or crying
Some children won’t experience any symptoms at all.
It’s important to keep in mind that the risk of your child becoming seriously unwell from dangerous disease is far greater than the risk of minor side effects from vaccinations and the mild side effects will only last for a few days.
If you are worried about possible side effects from vaccination, speak to the School Age Immunisation Service who will be able to help you.
Do any vaccines contain pork gelatine?
Some vaccines do contain a small amount of pork gelatine, to help make sure the vaccine is kept safe and remains effective during storage.
Vaccines that contain a small amount of pork gelatine include the MMRV vaccine and the children’s flu vaccine (nasal spray). But there are safe alternatives available for both of these vaccines which do not contain pork gelatine.
If you have any concerns about the ingredients in your child’s vaccination, or would like to discuss alternatives, please indicate this on the consent form.
My child is afraid of needles
Needle phobia is very common and affects at least 1 in 10 people.
A fear of needles and injections often, but not always, results from bad memories of needles earlier in life.
When can my child have their vaccines?
It’s important that vaccines are given to children on time as part of the childhood routine immunisation schedule when they are invited for their vaccines, as this gives your child the best protection against deadly diseases.
What do I do if my child has missed a vaccine?
If you are worried your child has missed one of their vaccines, please contact the School Age Immunisation Service.
Making sure your child receives all their vaccines on time will help keep them protected from serious illness.
Why is my child offered the flu vaccine yearly?
The flu vaccine is offered yearly to children in the autumn, before flu begins to spread. The vaccine is updated each year, so it’s important that your child has their flu vaccine when offered to stay protected.
Most children can receive their flu vaccine by a simple and painless nasal spray.
If your child is aged 4-16 (school years reception to 11), they will be offered their vaccine by a team of trained vaccinators at their school. Please provide consent for your child to have their flu vaccine as soon as possible.
For children who are electively home educated an appointment in a community clinic will be offered.
