Nursery World - Immunisation: On the safe side

Health and childcare professionals are encouraged to play an active
role in increasing the uptake of immunisations. Matthew Olley, an
immunisation nurse specialist at Public Health England, explains what
vaccinations are offered and how early years settings can help.

The World Health Organisation describes immunisations as being one of the most important interventions that have had the greatest impact on public health, protecting non-immune children from serious and potentially life-threatening infections1.

In the UK, increasing immunisation uptake among children remains an important priority in which all health and childcare professionals are encouraged to play an active role.

Why is immunisation important?

Immunisation is extremely important, as it offers an effective and reliable way of protecting non-immune children against a number of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.

Children are particularly vulnerable to infections from the first weeks of life as antibodies passed from mother to child wane rapidly, leaving the child susceptible to common childhood infections. This is why all children in the UK are recommended to receive their routine immunisations from eight weeks of age, ensuring optimal protection at a time when children need it the most.

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