New parents and mums-to-be across Monklands are being reminded that NHS Lanarkshire’s routine immunisations programme for children and pregnant women is still continuing during the coronavirus outbreak
Health board officials say: “Scheduled immunisations are an important and legitimate medical reason to leave your house, and people who have an immunisation appointment should attend as planned.”
Children should attend for a range of vaccinations at eight, 12 and 16 weeks, 12-13 months and three years, while expectant mums are invited for the whooping cough vaccine from 16 weeks of pregnancy.
If someone with an upcoming immunisation or a member of their household is showing symptoms of Covid-19, they must not attend the appointment but should call to rearrange it for a later date.
Dr David Cromie, a consultant in public health medicine with NHS Lanarkshire, said: “All our scheduled immunisation appointments are continuing as normal and we would encourage all children and pregnant women to attend.
“If you cannot attend because you or your family are showing symptoms of coronavirus, please telephone the number on your invite letter to rearrange.”
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Scotland’s interim chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith – who is a former medical director for primary care with NHS Lanarkshire – said: “The NHS is still open, and the routine vaccination programme is an important way to protect you and your family’s health.
“It’s important we continue to protect children and other vulnerable groups against serious vaccine-preventable diseases; routine immunisations for children and pregnant women are a crucial way we can help keep people safe and healthy at this time.
“We’re grateful to everyone for heeding our ‘stay home, save lives’ message during the Covid-19 pandemic and we know members of the public will have at the forefront of their minds protecting their family’s health from coronavirus, by following guidance on social distancing and not travelling unnecessarily.
“Receiving an immunisation is one of the important medical reasons for which you should leave your house, and it will help protect you or your child from other serious diseases.”
See the NHS Inform website and @NHSImmuniseScot Twitter account for the latest advice on immunisations.
