Service : Immunisation Service for children and young people

We provide routine childhood immunisations across Berkshire in both schools and community settings, supporting all children and young people aged 4 to 18. 

Our team delivers a structured annual vaccination programme across all schools, including:

• flu (influenza) for Reception to Year 11 (delivered during Autumn term, for ages 4 to 16, or up to 25 in special educational needs schools)
• diphtheria, tetanus, and polio booster (DTaP) and meningitis ACWY for Year 9 (delivered during Spring term, for ages 13 to 14)
• human papillomavirus (HPV) for Year 8 (delivered during Summer term, for ages 12 to 13)
• MMR catch-up for all year groups
• MMRV-eligible catch-up (for children born on or after 1 January 2020)

Additional services

We also offer:

• catch-up clinics for anyone who missed their pre-school vaccinations
• vaccinations for young adults with special educational needs (SEN) up to age 25 in SEN schools
• specialist support for those who need a more tailored approach

We’re not able to provide private or travel vaccines, your GP can advise you on where these are offered.

All children and young people aged 4 to 18 years living in Berkshire can access our service. We also provide vaccinations for young adults with SEN up to age 25, as well as those with outstanding vaccinations.

We will visit your child or young person at their school to carry out the scheduled vaccination(s). While we cannot give an exact time, the visit will take place during school hours.

If your child doesn't usually attend school, is absent on the day, or if you're coming to a clinic instead, we’ll send you an appointment with all the details of when and where to attend.

Referrals are followed up by email or telephone within seven working days.

Please note: We are a term-time only service. Emails sent during school holidays may take longer to receive a response.

Consent form

Before we can vaccinate your child or young person, we need you to complete a consent form.

If your child attends school or is registered with one (even if they don’t attend regularly), you’ll receive an email from the school with a link to complete a consent form.

If your child is home-schooled or does not attend school, then you should receive an email directly from us or via the Virtual Head.

Young people aged 14 or over may be able to give consent for their vaccination or treatment. However, we recommend they talk this through with a parent, guardian, or carer beforehand.

Before we give a vaccination, we will always check your child's details and confirm the vaccinations scheduled for the appointment.

To help make the appointment as easy and comfortable as possible, we recommend that you child:

• wears loose clothing, so the vaccinator can easily access their upper arm (where most vaccines are given)
• has drunk plenty of fluids and eaten a light meal beforehand
• brings a list of any medications they're currently taking so we can make sure your vaccination is safe for them (if you've recently moved to the UK, please include their vaccination history)

We understand that vaccinations can worry some people. Our team is here to help. Appointments are usually quick, but we'll take the time needed to make sure your child feels supported throughout.

Following a vaccination session, you'll receive an automated email with details about what happened at your child's appointment.

Children's flu vaccine - NHS UK

Find useful information on why the flu vaccine is important, who is eligible, and how to get the vaccine.

• Visit the NHS.UK website

Guide to immunisation - UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

The UKHSA has guidance on what to expect after a vaccination, as well as leaflets and posters available in multiple languages and formats for parents and carers.

• Read the guide on GOV.UK