Polio booster vaccines to be offered to children aged 1 to 9
All children in London aged 1 to 9 are to be offered a polio booster vaccination, the NHS and UK Health Security Agency have announced. The decision follows poliovirus being detected in sewage samples in some London boroughs.
A targeted inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) booster dose will be offered to all children between the ages of 1 and 9 in all London boroughs to ensure a high level of protection and to help reduce further spread of the virus.
There have been no clinical cases of polio recorded in London and the risk of polio remains low, especially for those who are vaccinated.
The NHS will be in touch with parents with children aged between 1 and 9 to provide them with information about how and when their child can get their vaccination. Parents are asked not to contact health services about polio boosters at this stage, to avoid any unnecessary delays to the vaccination programme.
Parents of children who have fallen behind with their routine programme of vaccinations, including the routine polio vaccination, are encouraged to get in touch with their GP.
Dr. Catherine Mbema, Director of Public Health at Lewisham Council, said:
“I would encourage all parents to take up the offer of a polio booster vaccine for their child when they are contacted by the NHS – it is the best way of ensuring a high level of protection.
“We will be supporting our local NHS to ensure booster doses can be delivered as quickly as possible and all of our communities in Lewisham can benefit from the high level of protection the vaccination offers.
“While you do not need to contact the NHS about the polio booster vaccination, if your child has fallen behind with their routine programme of vaccinations, I would encourage you to get in touch with your GP as soon as possible.”
For more information on the polio vaccination visit the NHS website.
Children ages 1-5 can also be vaccinated by their GP. Otherwise parents can book a vaccination appointment using this online form.
Clinics in Lewisham
University Hospital Lewisham (SE13)
Where: High Street, Lewisham, SE13 6LH
When: Clinics are between 8am and 5pm on various dates as they become available.
Who: Children aged 5-9
How to book: Appointment only click here to book.
Goldsmiths Community Centre (SE6)
Where: Castillon Road SE6 1QD
When: Saturdays 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm, Mondays 2 to 6pm
Who: Children aged 1-9
How to book: Walk in, no appointment
Evelyn Community Centre (SE8)
Where: 9 Wotton Rd, Deptford SE8 5TQ
When: Tuesdays 11.30am to 4pm
Who: Children aged 1-9
How to book: Walk in, no appointment.
Lewis Grove Pharmacy (SE13)
Where: 1 Lewis Grove, Lewisham, SE13 6BG
When: Sundays in November 9am to 1.30pm
Who: Children aged 5-9
How to book: Walk in or book an appointment here or phone 020 8852 2282
Waldron Health centre (SE14)
When: Saturday 12 November 2022 9am-4.30pm
Where: Amersham Vale, SE14 6LD
Who: Children aged 5-9
How to book: No appointment required, walk-in clinic
If you would like to contact us Tel: 02030491897 or 0734188526
Kaleidoscope (SE6)
When: Saturday 12, 19 and 26 November, 9am-4.30pm
Where: 32 Rushey Green, SE6 4JF
Who: Children aged 5-9
How to book: No appointment required, walk-in clinic
If you would like to contact us Tel: 02030491897 or 0734188526
Downham Health and Leisure Centre (BR1)
When: Saturday 19 November, 9am-4.30pm
Where: 7-9 Moorside, BR1 5EP
Who: Children aged 5-9
How to book: No appointment required, walk-in clinic
If you would like to contact us Tel: 02030491897 or 0734188526