We have been informed that two children at Heavers Farm Primary School have recently been unwell with Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a virus which causes infection in the liver and is spread in the stool (faeces) of an infected person. Hepatitis A can be spread to others if they share the same environment, for example toilets, or share food with a person who has the infection.
Letters are coming home with your children today with more information about this. Copies of all the letters and information sheets can be found at the bottom of this post.
Public Health England are offering children in Year 1 and Reception a vaccination against Hepatitis A. This is a precautionary measure and which they are offering to help prevent spread of the illness. This includes some staff. Children who usually receive the nasal flu (influenza) vaccine at school will also be offered this at the same time. It is safe and effective to have both vaccines at the same time.
Only children in Reception or Year 1 classes require a vaccination in school.
The offer is for children in Reception and year 1 only. Public Health England consider the risk to others in the school is very low and there is no need for vaccination in school.
A team of nurses will be running a clinic at school on Friday 12 October to provide vaccination to any Reception and Year 1 children accompanied by a parent.
We apologise for the late notice, however, we have only just received the authorisation and letters from Public Health England.
You will need to give written consent and attend with your child for them to receive the hepatitis A vaccination – they will not be able to vaccinate your child if you do not accompany them. There are two opportunities for your child to be vaccinated:
- A team of nurses will be running a clinic at the school on Friday 12 October, to provide vaccination to any Reception and Year 1 children accompanied by a parent.
Vaccination Timetable Friday 12 October 2018
09:30 – 10:30 Gold and Silver classes
10:30 – 11:30 Platinum and Bronze classes
11:30 – 12:30 Staff immunisations
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch break
13:30 – 14:30 Peridot and Jade classes
14:30 – 15:30 Emerald and Diamond classes
2. You and your child can attend an extra clinic at Lennard Road (Croydon Health Services, 12-18 Lennard Road, Croydon, CR9 2RS) on Saturday 13 October clinic, between 10am and 2pm (Walk-in).
You only need to attend one appointment, on either Friday or Saturday this week.
If your child is unable to attend at either of these times, please take the letter to your GP and arrange for vaccination. You will not need to pay your GP to have this vaccination. If you or your GP have any queries, please call the South London Health Protection Team on 0344 326 2052.
It is possible that your child may already be protected against hepatitis A if they have had any of the following:
- one dose of hepatitis A vaccine in the past 12 months
OR
- two doses of hepatitis A vaccine in the last 10 years
OR
- natural infection with hepatitis A in the past (they will not need any further vaccination)
Please fill in the consent form with any previous hepatitis A vaccine that your child has received. If you are unsure, it is safe for them to have the vaccine, even if they have been fully immunised or had hepatitis A infection in the past.
Here is a factsheet with more information about hepatitis A and vaccine, or visit the NHS Choices website and search for “hepatitis A”. Good hand hygiene is important to reduce the spread of infection.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Hepatitis-A/Pages/Introduction.aspx
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the South London Health Protection Team on 0344 326 2052 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm), quoting reference number 201174.
Hepatitis A vaccination factsheet
Reception and Year 1 vaccine letter
General parent non-vaccine letter
Hi – can you clarify if parents can turn up at any time during the hour slot their child’s class is scheduled for clinic or if they need to turn up at the beginning. This hasn’t been made clear on any communication and teachers weren’t sure either.
Hello, thank you for your query. You can turn up at any time during the slot for your child’s class.
I am perfectly sure NO ONE will catch the ‘Hepatitis A’.
Positive.😐👍