The NHS deliver an annual school-based vaccination programme. These vaccines are offered free of charge and are delivered during the normal school day.

The Child flu vaccine is offered to all young people from P1 through to S6 from September to December each year.  The flu vaccine is usually a nasal spray and will reduce the risk of your child getting or spreading flu to friends and family who are at greater risk from flu. Further information on the Child flu vaccine can be found on the NHS Inform website – Child flu vaccine.

The teenage booster for diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP) is offered to all young people in S3 as part of the routine childhood schedule. The DTP vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus and polio. These are serious diseases that can be life-threatening. You need a total of 5 doses of the DTP vaccine to build up immunity. This will gives longer-term protection.

You should have had:

• the first 3 doses as a baby
• the fourth dose before you started primary school (after turning 3 years and 4 months)

You should have the fifth dose in S3 (around 14 years old). Further  information on DTP can be found on the NHS inform website – DTP Vaccine.

The Meningitis ACWY (MenACWY) is offered along with the DTP vaccine to all young people in S3 (around 14 years of age) and helps protect against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), which are caused by meningococcal bacteria A, C, W and Y.  This will be delivered in school January to March. Further information on the MenACWY vaccine can be found on the NHS Inform website – Meningitis ACWY.

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is offered from S1-S6 for those who missed 2 doses as a child. 

The MMR vaccine helps to protect people against measles, mumps and rubella. These are are highly infectious viral diseases. They can cause serious medical complications. Further information on the MMR vaccine can be found on the NHS Inform website – Immunisation.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is offered to all S1 pupils. This vaccine protects young people against future risks as HPV can lead to various cancer.  This will be delivered in school January to March. Further information on the HPV vaccine can be found on the NHS Inform website – HPV Vaccine.

For all of these vaccination campaigns, you should receive a consent pack via the school to allow you to fill in the consent forms and return to the school.  We recommend that the young person gets agreement from their parent or carer to have the vaccine, however, it is not always necessary.

School Nurses

For more information visit: School Nursing Service in Dumfries and Galloway

Further information

Care Companion – a guide for parents and carers on common childhood illnesses for children under 5.

Should I keep my child off school or childcare? – advice with timeframes.

The Healthy Child Service – a family focussed programme, providing a safe space to explore a range of issues relating to your child’s health and wellbeing.

Mental Health Pathway – provides families with information on emotional and mental wellbeing support and referral information.