Child Immunisation: Advice and guidance

It is important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if you or your child missed a vaccine, contact your GP to catch up.
Please see the NHS website for the vaccination schedule:
NHS vaccinations and when to have them - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

The Neaman Practice is a London-based NHS primary care provider offering comprehensive health services in a patient-centred environment. To find out about vaccination services visit their website: If they’re not vaccinated, they’re not protected - The Neaman Practice

Or our webpage: The Neaman Practice - City of London Family Information Service

Parents and carers in the City of London are being asked to check their children's MMR records as London vaccination levels fall 11 per cent behind those for England.
The free measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against severe forms of the diseases which can result in serious hospitalisation in up to 40 percent of cases. Two doses of the MMR give lifelong protection for 99% of people vaccinated.
If you are unsure about your child’s vaccination status, you can contact your GP practice to check and book an appointment.

Why are we doing this?
Measles cases are rising in London. There is no cure and vaccination is the only protection against becoming seriously unwell.
Measles is a contagious virus illness. Initial symptoms include high fever, sore, red, watery eyes, coughing, aching, and feeling generally unwell. A blotchy red brown rash typically appears a few days later. It can lead to complications such as ear infections, pneumonia and in rare cases can lead to long term disability or death.
Those most at risk are babies under one year old, pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system.
Anyone with symptoms that could be measles is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, rather than visiting the surgery or A&E to avoid spreading it any further. For more information visit: Measles -  Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk) and  MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Polio can also lead to serious complications including paralysis and, in some cases, even death. There is no cure for polio, vaccination is the only protection. In 2022, polio virus was found in sewage samples in London, suggesting that the virus has been spreading between people.

How do I get a catch-up dose for my child?
Your GP can quickly arrange for you to catch up with vaccinations. If your child had first vaccinations abroad it is important you still have routine vaccinations here, and your GP can help arrange that. If you’re not registered with a GP, you can register online (anyone can register, and you don’t need ID or proof of address).
Parents of children aged 4 to 11, whose vaccination record says they are behind on polio and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations will also be contacted by an organisation called Vaccination UK, who have been employed by the NHS, to arrange catch up doses at a local clinic or at school.
You can book one directly by calling 0208 017 4292;
or visit Vaccination UK to find a catch-up clinic in your area: School Vaccinations UK 

Flu advice for parents

English: https://youtu.be/cI2eYPEIcCU
Turkish: https://youtu.be/-sFb44UYjGs
Romanian: https://youtu.be/05eDpnECvks
Spanish: https://youtu.be/AgJq7aGv5qY
Punjabi: https://youtu.be/p40yw42YxGA
Bengali: https://youtu.be/_S12zhCCn2Y
Polish: https://youtu.be/XeXBbLt6kiU

I begin with the name of Allah, the Kind the Caring

The flu vaccine that contains porcine gelatine is a simple nasal spray that is particularly useful and easy to administer to children. It is administered to children who are susceptible to flu and have other problems like asthma which is exacerbated by the flu. It has been shown to reduce A &E admissions and other complications considerably.

Firstly, it’s important to understand the nature of the porcine gelatine. This is a pure product and is exactly same as the cow gelatine, goat or any other animals’ gelatine. It has same protein structure, same properties and same colour, texture and taste. You would not be able to distinguish the porcine gelatine from the others. Considering this fact it is argued that it doesn’t matter what its origin is. A similar fatwa was issued by Mufti Ali Jumma the Grand Mufti of Egypt about Pig products including insulin.

Secondly, this is for a medical purpose, it’s not consumption or eating. The nasal vaccine is important preventative measure that has been shown empirically to reduce lot of suffering in vulnerable children. This then falls under the well-known category of ‘darurah’ necessity, required and needed. The Quran teaches: “He has made unlawful for you the carcass, the blood, pork and animals over which any name other than Allah’s has been invoked. However, if one is dying of hunger then a small amount can be eaten in order to survive, Allah is Forgiver and Kind.” (Al Baqara:173) From this jurist have reasoned that when something that is forbidden is necessary for survival then it becomes permissible. So, if porcine gelatine was forbidden in this situation, it becomes permissible. The other rule from this is: “What is permissible for a particular need can be used according to the amount required.” Thirdly, my fatwa is based on this powerful principle Istihala found in books of Fiqh: “Istihala means the change of a substance as a result of its purification and the removal of all the impurities around it. Scholars are agreed that when alcohol changes into vinegar it is considered pure. The majority of Hanafi, Maliki scholars and Imam Ahmed said that istihala renders impure substance pure. As mentioned above, there is no scholarly contention on the purity of an alcohol that has turned into vinegar. Another example the scholars give is the blood of deer, when it is converted into musk it becomes an expensive fragrance. (p1738 Encyclopaedia of Fatwa published by Dar la Ifta Al-Misriyya)

Considering this evidence, we conclude the nasal flu vaccine containing porcine gelatine is permissible for use.

And Allah knows best.

Dr Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari

Director of British Fatwa Council

If 100 unvaccinated people are exposed to measles, 90 will catch measles αnd 7 will have complications.

Usual early symptoms:
• Fever (above 38°)
• Runny nose/cough
• Sore eyes
• White spots in mouth
• Red rash.

There has been a rise of measles cases in London in the last 2 months. Coverage via vaccination has fallen to the lowest level in a decade.

If there is a suspected measles cases in an educational setting:
• Send the child home.
• The child should not attend until they have received advice from health care professional.
• If a member of staff is unvaccinated or unsure if they are, they should contact their GP (see recommendations for household contact below).

If the measles case is confirmed:
• Call the health protection team (prepare the details of the child - you don't need parent/carer consent) who will give advice.
• The case needs to stay away until 4 days after the onset of rash.
• Household contacts who are unvaccinated should stay away from the setting for up to 21 days, unless they receive a vaccine within 3 days. Fully vaccinated contacts can attend school as normal.
• Vulnerable people should receive advice from the health protection team. (e. g. pregnant women, immune-compromise people).
If the young person needs to attend a significant exam, special arrangements could be made for non-immune siblings of people with measles. This will be discussed by the health protection team on a case-by-case basis.

Here's what you need to know about #GroupAStrep and what to look out for. Parents should trust their own judgement when their child is poorly.

Read more: UKHSA update on scarlet fever and invasive group A strep - GOV.UK

Staff working with children in childcare settings have a ‘duty of care’ to provide a safe environment for children.
Infection prevention and control in childcare settings involves carrying out risk assessments and putting measures in place to manage any risks identified these should be reviewed and updated regularly. For more information on risk assessments, visit: Risk assessment - HSE 
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 legislates that employers must provide adequate protection against the risks associated with the task undertaken (for example, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be provided for dealing with blood or bodily fluids). For details of this visit: HSE: Information about health and safety at work 

Infection Risk
Infection risk in the childcare setting can be reduced by;
• Training all staff in Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs)
• Supervising children when exposed to pets. Pets must be clean and healthy. Exotic (non-domestic and unusual) animals, such as reptiles should not be kept as nursery pets due to high risk of salmonella which they carry. Rodents are also not recommended (if in a childminding setting, they should be excluded from the area children are cared for). Pet living quarters must be kept clean and away from food areas.
• Planning ahead when arranging special days out or activities.
• Ensuring Staff and/or children with symptoms of an infectious disease do not attend the childcare setting.
• Seeking advice from your local Health Prevention Team on infection prevention and control issues e.g. exclusion criteria if an outbreak of infection is suspected.
Excluding a child from a childcare setting when not necessary can be a burden on parents or guardians. However, failing to exclude a child (with signs or symptoms of infection) could lead to an outbreak of infection in the childcare setting

What is infection prevention and control?
• Preventing and controlling infection in an early years setting
• The importance of hand washing before and after regular activities
• Good practice for hand washing and a range of other ways of preventing the spread of germs in an early years setting
• Understanding effective procedures for cleaning toys, equipment and the environment:

It is important that staff understand and follow:
• Guidance for managing illness and infections
• Exclusion times

The population generally now has much stronger protections against the virus. This means it can be managed like other respiratory infections. Respiratory infections, including the common cold and COVID-19, are common in children and young people, particularly during the winter months. For most children and young people, these illnesses will not be serious, and they will soon recover following rest and plenty of fluids. 

What to do if your child has Coronavirus symptoms
Attending education is hugely important for children and young people’s health and their future. Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their setting.

If you suspect you or your child has Covid-19, please follow the steps set out in the government guidance. For more information visit: COVID-19: guidance and support - GOV.UK

Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.

The risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower. This is because children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults. For the latest information visit: What are the latest rules around COVID-19 in schools, colleges, nurseries and other education settings? – The Education Hub