Drive-through and community ‘catch ups’ for children who missed school-based vaccinations

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is offering ‘catch up’ clinics for children who missed their school-based vaccinations due to lockdown, or were absent from school at the time of their immunisations.

The Trust’s immunisation team is offering drive-through appointments at Edward Jenner Court in Brockworth, as well as community clinics at locations throughout Gloucestershire, to catch up with as many of the 7,000 vaccinations missed this school year as possible.

The service will focus on providing ‘catch ups’ for Year 9 pupils across Gloucestershire, as well as vaccinations for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) for Year 8 boys and girls and Year 9 girls only.

Caroline Halford, head of school aged immunisations, said: “We’re realistic. We’re not going to catch up with all 7,000 missed vaccinations. But we would encourage parents to bring their children along to one of our catch-up clinics over the summer, if possible.

“Those who are unsure as to whether or not their children are up-to-date with their HPV, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio) and MenACWY (Meningococcal) vaccinations are encouraged to get in touch. We will be running drive-through appointments here at Edward Jenner Court throughout the summer, as well as clinics at community venues across Gloucestershire.

“Parents can be reassured that those children who haven’t come to one of our drive-through appointments or community clinics over the summer will receive their catch-up immunisations when the new academic year starts in September.”

To book a drive-through vaccination, or for further information about community clinic dates and locations, call the immunisation team on 0300 421 8140, or visit the Gloucestershire Health and Care website – www.ghc.nhs.uk.