Childhood immunisations

As a trusted partner in a child’s development, early years practitioners play a vital role in supporting families to keep children healthy and ready to learn. Your conversations with parents and carers can be the first step toward improving vaccination uptake across the borough. 

Why your role is vital

Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to protect children from serious, preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, and meningitis. With vaccination rates having declined nationally, families may need gentle encouragement, clear information, and reassurance about the vaccination process.

You are well-positioned to help parents make informed choices. Use the following approach to guide your discussions:

  • Create an open space: Use "Make Every Contact Count" (MECC) principles to have brief, non-judgmental conversations. Ask parents about their child’s health during routine check-ins or registration
  • Check "Red Books": Encourage parents to check their child's Personal Child Health Record (the "Red Book") if they are unsure about their vaccination status
  • Build confidence: If a parent expresses anxiety or hesitancy, listen to their concerns without judgment. Provide clear, evidence-based information and signpost them to their GP practice or Health Visitor, who are best equipped to answer clinical questions and support their decision-making
  • Normalisation: Remind families that it is never too late to catch up on missed vaccinations. Help them understand that keeping vaccinations up to date keeps the whole school community and vulnerable children safe

How to signpost

When a parent is ready to take action or needs more information, provide these clear steps:

  1. Contact their GP: In City and Hackney, immunisations are delivered by GP practices. Advise parents to contact their practice directly to book appointments
  2. Contact their Health Visitor: For specific questions or concerns about the schedule, the Health Visiting team is the primary point of contact for support

Resources to support your practice

Use these resources to stay informed and to share with the families you support:

Reporting suspected measles cases

You must report a suspected measles case in Hackney. You must immediately contact the North London Health Protection Team (NL HPT). You are legally required to report any suspected cases (do not wait for laboratory confirmation)

Who to contact

Information you need to provide

When contacting the Health Protection Team, make sure to have the following details ready:

  • Patient details: Full name, date of birth, NHS number, and home address
  • Clinical information: Date of symptom onset (e.g., fever, rash) and any known exposure history
  • Setting context: Where the individual was exposed or is currently located
  • Vulnerabilities: Whether the patient or close contacts are pregnant, immunosuppressed, or under 1 year of age
  • Travel history: Any recent overseas travel, if applicable

Immediate actions to take in your setting

  1. Isolate: Move the symptomatic individual to a separate, well-ventilated room away from others
  2. Seek medical advice: Advise the individual (or their parent/guardian) to contact their GP or NHS 111, instructing them to call ahead before visiting any healthcare setting
  3. Exclude from setting: Instruct the infected person to stay away from the school or nursery for at least 4 full days from when the rash first appears

Share info with parents: Provide the NHS Measles Guide to parents to encourage vaccination and monitoring.

Immunisations (health protection)