Blackpool Teaching Hospitals
Vaccination and Immunisation Team
Whinney Heys Road
Blackpool
FY3 8NR


Dear Parent/Guardian,

YOUR CHILD’S MENINGITIS ACWY AND TETANUS/DIPHTHERIA/POLIO VACCINATIONS ARE NOW DUE

 
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is delivering the school-age immunisation programme on behalf of NHS England. We will be immunising year 9 girls and boys against Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio and Meningitis ACWY during this academic year, 2020/21.
 
Meningitis ACWY

This vaccine protects against Meningitis (inflammation of the brain) and Septicaemia (blood poisoning) caused by Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y. 
 
The vaccine is being offered in response to a rapid increase in cases of Meningococcal disease group W, an aggressive strain.
 
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio

Your child will also receive an immunisation against Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio. The teenage booster, also known as 3-in-1 or the Td/IPV vaccine, is given as a single injection into the upper arm to boost your child’s protection against the three separate diseases. 
 
The teenage booster is available for all young people in school year 9 and is generally given at the same time as the Meningitis ACWY vaccine.
These vaccines will normally complete your child’s immunisation in accordance with the NHS England schedule. 
 
New Electronic Process
 
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals have enhanced the consent process by transforming a previously paper process into a streamlined electronic form accessible anywhere.
 
Previously, receiving consent for a child’s vaccine was reliant on school staff handing the paper forms out and getting them home to their parents/guardians, increasing the potential for the form being lost.
 
Now the child’s school will email or text the link to the consent form (also unique school code) to the parents/guardians so that they can easily and quickly complete the consent form via mobile device, tablet or computer. This will save parent/carers time and free up school staff time.
 
Once your child has been vaccinated you will also be notified by text ensuring that you are up to date with the child’s vaccinations.
 
Filling out the Consent Form:
 
1. Please click the following link to access the online consent form:
    https://www.bthimmunisations.co.uk/Forms/DTP
2. Please quote the unique school code. The code for your school is BP141132
 
You will need to submit your form as soon as possible. If you experience any problems accessing the form, please telephone your local vaccination team and the team will be happy to help.
 
Contacts: 

Area(s) Contact Number(s)
Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre 01253 951984
Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth & over Wyre 01524 519430

 
A leaflet explaining the vaccination programme can be accessed at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunisations-for-young-people 
 
As in previous years you must opt-in to the programme. If a consent form is not submitted your child will not be vaccinated; however please note:

  • Your child can self-consent to treatment if they are considered competent to do so by one of our nurses; this is known as Gillick competency. If you require any further information in this regard, please contact us. 

We are trying to improve how we communicate with patients. Please tell us if you need information in a different format or communication support. 
 
Further information on the vaccination programme can be found on NHS Choices at: 
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/vaccination-schedule-age-checklist.aspx 
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals
School Age Vaccination Team