Has your child or teen missed out on their Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine?
Any school age children and teenagers up to the age of 19 that have not yet had both doses of the MMR vaccination (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) can be booked in for an appointment by their parents or carers at a catch-up clinic during the half term break.
Run by the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (KCHFT) School-aged Immunisation Service, the clinics are being held in a range of locations across Kent between Wednesday, 14 February and Saturday, 17 February.
The catch-up offer is part of ongoing efforts by Kent and Medway health leaders to drive up MMR vaccination rates following a national rise in measles cases. With outbreaks in London and the West Midlands, there are concerns the highly-infectious disease will spread.
Measles can lead to serious illness but it is preventable through two doses of the MMR vaccine.
Children are routinely offered the first dose of MMR at one year and the second dose at three years and four months for life-long protection.
If you are unsure if your child is up to date with their MMR vaccines, you can check their Red Book health record – and if you are still not sure, contact your GP, who can also offer MMR catch up appointments.
KCHFT catch-up clinics
To arrange an appointment at any of the KCHFT catch-up clinics this half-term, Kent and Medway parents and carers can call the School-aged Immunisation Service on 0300 123 5205 or email via kchft.cyp-immunisationteam@nhs.net – or book using the service’s webchat.
The dates and locations of the clinics you can request a catch-up appointment for your child at this February half-term are:
Wednesday, 14 Febraury
- Newlands Children's Centre, Ramsgate
- Folkestone Early Years Centre
Thursday, 15 Febraury
- Green Banks, Margate
- St Mary's Church, Swanley
- Dover Health Centre
Friday, 16 Febraury
- Deal Community Clinic
- Holy Trinity Church Hall, Gillingham
Saturday, 17 Febraury
- Sheppey Hospital
- The Heathside Centre, Maidstone
- Kennington Scout Hall, Ashford
- St Bartholomew’s Church Hall, Herne Bay
- Dartford Scout Hall, Dartford