Young people across the East of England have helped shape a new NHS campaign Young people across the East of England have helped design a new NHS campaign to improve understanding of school vaccinations and encourage more young people to get protected.
The campaign has been developed by the East of England Community and School Aged Immunisation Service (CSAIS), led regionally by Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust and supported by NHS England. It launched ahead of HPV Awareness Day on 4 March.
The new campaign aims to help young people and families understand the vaccines offered at school, why they are important and how they protect against serious diseases.
Why school vaccinations are important
School vaccinations protect young people against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. These vaccines are routinely offered during secondary school as part of the NHS immunisation programme.
Vaccination helps protect not only the individual but also the wider community by reducing the spread of infectious diseases.
Vaccines offered through the school immunisation programme
Young people in secondary school are offered several important vaccinations.
These include:
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – helps protect against several cancers, including cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers affecting both men and women
- MenACWY – protects against four types of meningococcal disease that can cause meningitis and sepsis
- Td/IPV booster – protects against tetanus, diphtheria and polio
- MMR – protects against measles, mumps and rubella and may be offered as a catch-up vaccine if earlier doses were missed
These vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect young people’s health.
A campaign designed with young people
The new campaign was co-designed with pupils aged 12 to 16 from across the East of England, alongside schools and frontline healthcare professionals.
During focus groups, many young people said that existing vaccination information could feel too wordy, difficult to understand or not engaging.
To address this, the new resources have been designed to be more youth-friendly and easier to understand.
The campaign includes:
- short videos explaining school vaccinations
- posters designed with input from young people
- social media content aimed at young audiences
These materials clearly explain what the vaccines protect against and what young people can expect when they receive them, including common and mild side effects.
Making vaccination information more accessible
The campaign materials have been developed using an inclusive design approach to make information easier to understand.
Resources have also been translated into several commonly spoken languages across the East of England. This helps ensure families whose first language is not English can still access clear information about school vaccinations.
Helping young people stay protected
School vaccinations are an important way to protect young people from preventable diseases and support long-term health.
Parents and carers will receive information from their child’s school when vaccinations are due.
If your child is offered a vaccine through their school, it is a simple step that can provide long-lasting protection.