School immunisations
We offer immunisations to all eligible children and young people in schools and community settings across Leeds.
Secondary school vaccination
In Year 9, your child will be offered their Teenage booster for TD/IPV (Diphtheria, tetanus and Polio) and Meningitis ACWY vaccinations. We also take the opportunity to check that Year 9 children are up to date with their MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccinations and offer this vaccine if they are not already up to date.
In the video below, Rachel from the Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust School Aged Immunisation team talks about secondary school vaccinations.
Secondary school vaccination information
Video transcript
Video transcript
On screen title: The School Aged Immunisation Team in West Yorkshire.
Nurse: Hello, my name is Rachel and I’m a nurse with the School Aged Immunisation Service in West Yorkshire. We offer vaccinations as part of the National Immunisation Schedule to all secondary school aged children. This is a school-based programme, and it is not routinely offered by GP Practices.
On screen title: What Are Vaccinations?
Nurse: Vaccinations remain the best method of protecting young people and their families from potentially life threatening diseases. The injection works by helping your immune system to fight the disease if you come in to contact with it.
On screen title: Year 8 Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) 8 out of 10 people come into to contact with the HPV virus within their life time.
Nurse: We offer all year 8 students The Human Papillomavirus vaccination, referred to as HPV. It is administered at this age before young people become sexually active because it’s most effective at preventing infection before exposure to the virus. It protects from 9 types of HPVs that can cause cancers including cervical cancer, male and female genital cancers, anus cancer, some head and neck cancers and genital warts.
On screen title: Tetanus (T) Diphtheria (D), and Polio (IPV) and MEN ACWY
Nurse: We offer all year 9 aged students the Tetanus Diphtheria and Polio vaccination(IPV) which is a booster to complete the course started as a baby.
At this time, we also give Meningitis ACWY. The Men ACWY vaccine is given to teenagers and helps protect against 4 types of bacteria linked to meningitis A, C, W and Y. This is the only dose in the National Routine Immunisation Schedule.
On screen title: Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Nurse: The MMR vaccine is offered if you haven’t already had two doses. It protects against Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Measles, Mumps and Rubella are highly contagious diseases which can lead to serious illness and unfortunately can be life threatening.
On screen title: How to submit your intent
Nurse: Close to the school’s session date your school will send our letter with your school’s unique code via their normal means of communication. To submit a consent or a refusal form, follow the link provided by school. A link to the form will also be in the comment section of the video below.
Nurse: Injections in the arm only takes a few seconds. Common and mild side effects include redness and soreness around the injection site, a slightly raised temperature and an aching body. More serious side effects are very rare, and you can read more about this on the NHS website.
On screen title: More information on vaccinations can be found at www.nhs.uk
Further information: Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (Td/IPV), Meningococcal ACWY
Further information: Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (Td/IPV), Meningococcal ACWY
In Year 9, your child is offered two vaccinations. These are the Meningitis ACWY vaccine which helps to protect against Meningitis and Septicaemia and the TD/IPV booster which helps to protect against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio. Young people may be offered the MMR vaccine to protect against Measles, Mumps and Rubella if they did not receive it when they were younger. Information about the vaccinations will be added to your child’s health record, including GP records and those held by the NHS. If you do not want your child to receive the vaccination it is important to complete the refusal section on the form.
Using your school’s unique code (information from school) you can submit a consent or a refusal form for your Year 8 child.
Please note, submitting vaccination refusal is just as important as a consent.
Further information
Seasonal influenza (FLU)
Children’s flu vaccine
The children’s flu vaccine is offered as a yearly nasal spray to nursery, Year 11 aged children to help protect them against flu. Flu can be very difficult, it is a very nasty illness that can leave you bedridden for days or weeks at a time. Protect your child and those more vulnerable surrounding your child. An injectable porcine free alternative is also available. Seasonal flu is an unpredictable but recurring pressure that the NHS faces every winter. Vaccination offers the best protection.
The 2025/26 National Influenza Programme eligibility includes children who will be 2 or 3 years old on 31 August 2025. You can access this at your GP practice, or we can offer it in Nursery if your child attends a School attached Nursery (on the same site as the primary school). Please note, that if your child does not attend nursery on the day we are visiting, you will need to book an appointment with your GP.
Listen to Rachel from the School Aged Immunisation team talk about all things flu vaccine in the short video below.
Flu vaccine information
Video transcript
Video transcript
Nurse: Hello, my name is Rachel and I’m a nurse with the School Aged Immunisation Service in West Yorkshire. We visit schools to see pupils in reception up to and including year 11 during the flu season.
On screen title: What is Flu?
Nurse: Flu is a very nasty illness, it is not just a bad cold and can often cause serious illness, which unfortunately can also be life threatening.
On screen title: How does the vaccine work?
Nurse: The best way to protect yourself and your family from flu is the nasal flu vaccine, which is a quick spray up each nostril. It helps your immune system to fight flu if you come in to contact with the virus. If you do still get flu after having your vaccination, your symptoms would be much milder.
On screen title: Porcine free alternative
Nurse: Nasal Flu is a live vaccination and does contain traces of porcine gelatine. It has been deemed ok to have the nasal spray by the British Islamic Medical Association and the British Fatwa Council. Talk to your religious leader or our team if you have any questions. We can use a porcine free alternative which is an injection.
On screen title: How to submit intent
Nurse: Close to the school’s session date your school will send our letter with your school’s unique code via their normal means of communication. To submit a consent or a refusal form, follow the link provided by school. A link to the form will also be in the comment section of the video below.
On screen title: Side Effects – more information on www.nhs.uk searching for vaccinations
Nurse: Both the injection in your arm and nasal spray only takes a few seconds. You may experience mild side effects from the injection such as redness and soreness around the injection site, a slightly raised temperature and an aching body. Common side effects of the nasal spray are a blocked nose, headaches, tiredness and a loss of appetite. More serious side effects are very rare, and you can read more about this on the NHS website.
Missed vaccinations
If your child misses their opportunity to receive their vaccinations in school, you will automatically be sent a text message inviting you to call us to book an appointment at one of our community clinics. Please be aware that this relies on the number on your GP record being up to date. If you think your child is outstanding any of their vaccinations and you have not received a text message, please feel free to contact us.
Please also note that GP practices do not routinely offer the Year 8 and 9 immunisations whilst pupils are still in these cohorts because they are provided as a school based program.
Referrals for older year groups
If your child is currently in Year 10 or 11 and you believe they have missed any of their teenage vaccinations, please contact the School Immunisation team in the first instance to ask about booking a community clinic appointment. Alternatively, you can contact your GP practice who may be happy to provide these at your surgery.
Referrals for home educated pupils or young people who don’t attend school
All home educated pupils or young people who don’t attend school will be invited by our team at the relevant age to attend an appointment at one of our community clinics to receive their vaccinations.
