Childhood immunisations (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)

Overview

  • Immunisation is the process in which a person becomes immune or resistant to an infectious disease, usually by administering a vaccine. It is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, protecting children and vulnerable adults from serious illness and death.
  • Coordinated international programmes have eradicated some infectious diseases such as smallpox, and reduced death and disability from many others e.g. polio.
  • Immunisation programmes have clearly defined target groups; they can be delivered effectively through outreach activities; and vaccination does not require any major lifestyle change.
  • Vaccination is different from giving medicine to an unwell child to make them better. The idea is that a child won't become ill with measles or end up in intensive care with meningitis. Deciding not to vaccinate a child can put them at risk of catching a range of potentially serious, even fatal, diseases.
  • Having a vaccination is much safer than not having one. They're not 100% effective in every child, but they're the best defence against the epidemics that used to kill or permanently disable millions of children and adults.

Key issues

  • The childhood immunisation programme in South Tyneside has some of the highest take-up rates in England.
  • While performance is satisfactory teenage immunisation programmes for Flu and Meningitis ACWY could have a higher take-up rate.

High level priorities

  • When a vaccination programme against a disease begins, the number of people catching the disease goes down. As the threat decreases, it's important to keep vaccinating; otherwise the disease can start to spread again.
  • If enough people in a community are vaccinated, it's harder for a disease to pass between people who have not been vaccinated. This is called herd immunity.
  • Herd immunity is particularly important for protecting people who can't get vaccinated because they're too ill or because they're having treatment that damages their immune system.
  • An infographic explaining herd immunity can be found on Figure 1 of the supporting appendices Child Immunisation Appendices.