Childhood immunisations at specialist vaccination clinics are set to be rolled out across the Stirling area this summer following a successful pilot scheme in Clackmannanshire. This saw babies/children registered with seven GP practices, receiving their immunisation at two locations, Tillicoultry Medical Practice and Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre.

The vaccinations were carried out by NHS Forth Valley’s immunisation team and the Clackmannanshire pilots achieved uptake rates in the 90s, comparable to the previous GP delivered service.

A survey of patients and carers revealed that most were happy with the new arrangements which have been set up to support the new national GP contract.

Comments included:

• Nurses very nice and helpful, everything perfect
• Friendly atmosphere and staff doing a great job
• Great quick service

The Stirling childhood immunisation programme will focus initially on babies and young children in the Stirling city area then move to cover more rural locations in the wider Stirlingshire area.

NHS Forth Valley Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dr Henry Prempeh, said: “There has been a gradual increase in vaccine preventable diseases across Europe and the rest of the world, even England has seen a three-fold rise in cases measles. Now, more than ever, we need to ensure that we continue to provide a safe and accessible vaccination service to the residents of Forth Valley. These vaccination clinics run buy our specialist immunisation team will enable us to take the service to where it is most needed.”

Vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions and NHS Forth Valley has consistently had excellent uptake, especially in routine childhood immunisations. Between birth and the age of 14, children now receive 20 doses of 11 different vaccines.