Child jabs hit the spot

Record numbers of children living in the Rochdale borough have been immunised this year, exceeding Government targets.

The child health team has successfully vaccinated 95 per cent or more of tots as part of the routine childhood vaccination programme. Given between the ages of 0 to 5, the jabs help to protect kids against a range of diseases including diphtheria, tetanus, polio and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

Sue Brierley, Child Health Manager at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations; it’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases. Ideally, children should have their jabs at the right age to protect them as early as possible and minimise the risk of infection.

“The child health team has worked really hard this year to make sure children are vaccinated at the right age. We’ve done this by working closely with GPs and have developed robust systems so that we know which children have and haven’t been vaccinated.”

Dr Jane Rossini said: “This is fantastic news. I’m really pleased that the majority of parents in Rochdale Borough take this issue seriously and make sure they do all they can to protect their children. Vaccinations are safe and effective way of protecting your child.

“I cannot stress enough that anyone who has missed out on their vaccinations will be at risk of serious diseases such as measles. If you have not had your child vaccinated please contact your GP who will be happy to see you and can talk through any concerns you have.”