Child Healthcare and Vaccination

Regular childhood immunisation clinics are held at Helsby and Elton. Parents are notified via the Health Authority’s computer recall system when a vaccination is due. The childhood vaccinations are now given in rapid succession at 2, 3 and 4 months to protect small babies. It is very important that your child has these vaccinations. They are very safe and there are very few reasons for not giving them. If you are concerned that your child should not have a vaccination on a particular day, perhaps because the child is unwell, please speak to a practice nurse to

re-arrange the appointment.

Childhood Immunisation

The Child Health Authority will notify parents via post about their child’s immunization appointment.

Immunisations are given to babies at two, three and four months of age, with further immunisations given between 12 and 13 months of age.

We follow the routine childhood immunsation programme. Please click here for further information.

Flu Vaccination

The flu vaccine for children is a nasal spray and is available each year on the NHS for two and three year olds.

In some parts of the country, pre-school and primary school children between the ages of four and 10 may also be offered the vaccine.

Over time, as the programme rolls out, all children between the ages of two and 16 will be vaccinated against flu each year with the nasal spray.

The nasal spray flu vaccine for children contains live, but weakened forms of flu virus which do not cause flu in those vaccinated. Again, the flu virus in the vaccine is grown on fertilised hens’ eggs so children with a known egg allergy should be given an alternative vaccine

Children with a long-term health condition should also have a flu vaccination because their illness could get worse if they catch flu. This includes any child over the age of six months of age with a long-term health problem such as a serious respiratory or neurological condition.

If you have a child with a long-term condition, speak to your GP about whether they should have the flu vaccination. Some children with a long-term health condition may be advised to have the flu vaccine injection rather than the nasal spray.

SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPY FOR CHILDREN

The Speech & Language Therapy Department have a telephone advice line. The line is open Tuesday 9.30 – 10.30 am and Thursday 3.30 – 4.30 pm. 01244 385060. This telephone advice line will be available for parents to have dirct contact with a Speech & Language Therapist. This will give them an apportunity to discuss concerns and get advice especially if they are unsure if there is a problem and to also have an informal chat about their child’s specch and language development.