An increasing number of young children from Liverpool and Sefton are thought to be behind with MMR vaccination as well as other childhood immunisations, leaving them at risk of diseases.

In response, Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust is holding a series of additional child immunisation drop-in sessions to enable catch up doses to be given.

The Trust is writing to the parents or carers of all children thought to have fallen behind with the immunisation this week, to invite them to attend a catch up session.

It is also encouraging all parents to double check that their children are up to date with their MMR vaccination, and all other childhood immunisations.

The MMR vaccination is offered to all children aged 12 – 13 months old by their NHS Family Health Visitor in order to protect them from catching mumps, measles and rubella. A second dose is usually given as a pre-school booster between the ages of 3 to 4 years.

The vaccination catch up sessions will be held weekly throughout November at the following locations and times:

Monday 3th November – Riverside Centre for Health, Park Street, Liverpool, L8 6QP

Drop in between 09.00am – 11.30 am

Wednesday 5th November – Old Swan NHS Walk in Centre, Crystal Close, St Oswald Street, Liverpool, L13 2GA

Drop in between 09.00am – 12.00 noon

Thursday 6th November – Livingston Drive Health Centre, Livingston Drive, Sefton Park, L17 8SJ

Drop in between 09.30am – 16.00 pm

Friday 7th November – South Liverpool Treatment Centre, Church Road, Garston, L19 2LW

Drop in between 09.00am – 12.00 noon

Any parents or carers who are concerned that their child may not have had the full MMR vaccine or any other childhood vaccination, can either drop into one of these sessions (no appointment needed), or can contact their Family Health Visitor or GP to request one if required.

The above clinic sessions are open to all children requiring boosters, but parents should bring their child’s health records (RED BOOK) along.

Tracey Hart, Immunisation Lead Nurse for Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust said,

“Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) are all highly infectious, common illnesses that are very unpleasant, can cause serious health complications for children, and can even be fatal in some cases.

“We want to reassure any concerned parents that the MMR immunisation is a very safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against all three of these illnesses in a single injection.

“However, it does require two separate doses to be given in order for a child to be fully protected, so if you know or suspect that your child hasn’t been fully immunised yet, we would urge you to arrange for them to have a catch up vaccination as soon as possible.”

It is safe for children of all ages (up to 18 years) who have missed, or only partially completed their earlier MMR vaccination, to have a ‘catch-up’ vaccination on the NHS.

If you are concerned that your child may be behind on their MMR vaccination or on any other childhood vaccination, you should attend a drop-in session or contact your Family Health Visitor or GP as soon as possible to request one.

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