Missed MMR jabs on offer at catch-up clinics in Kent and Medway this April and May

A church, youth centre and even a scout hut are among the venues hosting immunisation clinics in the coming weeks for children and teenagers missing vital jabs, as health officials race to bring down measles cases.

Youngsters who have missed out on their measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are among those being targeted – as health trusts try and increase vaccination rates following a national rise in cases of the deadly disease.

Run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (KCHFT) School-aged Immunisation Service, more than 20 clinics are taking place across the county in April and May.

Parents and carers of school-aged children, and teens up to the age of 19, can make appointments with the service which is running in easy-to-reach local locations to encourage as many families as possible to take up the offer.

Emma de Vos, from the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, added: "We provide a safe and comfortable environment for young people in our community clinics.

“We also understand some may find going along to a vaccination session stressful; our experienced nurses are on hand to help make sure you are supported from start to finish to help you get the protection you need.”

In the case of the MMR jab – children are routinely offered the first dose at one year and the second dose at three years and four months which, say medics, will give them lifelong protection.

But with uptake rates having been falling for a decade, combined with disruption caused by the pandemic, many children are without the necessary doses.

With measles outbreaks ongoing in London and the West Midlands together with confirmed cases now in every region of England – including the south east – there are concerns the highly-infectious disease will keep on spreading unless more people are vaccinated.

Families unsure if their children are up-to-date with routine immunisations can check their children’s Red Book health records or contact their GP practice says Kent County Council.

To arrange an appointment at any of the KCHFT catch-up clinics, Kent and Medway parents and carers should call the School-aged Immunisation Service on 0300 123 5205 or email kchft.cyp-immunisationteam@nhs.net

Kent County Council (KCC) Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, said: “MMR vaccination rates in Kent are above the national average but well below the 95% the World Health Organisation advise is needed to prevent measles outbreaks.

“This is a concern because measles can make people very unwell, one in five children who catch it need hospital care and on rare occasions it can claim lives – yet through two doses of the MMR vaccine measles is preventable.

“MMR is safe and effective, providing life-long protection, it’s free on the NHS and, whatever your age, it’s never too late to catch up.”