Parents are being reassured that vaccinations due to be delivered to teenagers in year 9 and 10 at secondary schools in Lincolnshire this year will continue as planned.

Young people in year 9 are due to receive vaccinations for Meningococcal ACWY and their Teenage Booster, which is the final vaccination in the course to help to protect against diptheria, tetanus and polio.

They will also be joined by year 10 students in 2021, who were unable to receive their vaccines in 2020 due to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although many pupils are currently learning at home due to COVID-19 restrictions, wherever possible vaccinations will still take place at schools.

Tina Bramley, head of clinical services at Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS), said: "It is really important to ensure everyone continues to receive planned vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure they have the best possible protection from preventable diseases such as meningitis, diptheria, tetanus and polio.

"Nurses in our School Age Immunisations Service are working closely with schools to ensure there are as few disruptions as possible to the vaccination schedule for young people living in Lincolnshire and we can continue to offer vaccinations in school wherever possible. This includes supporting those who were unable to receive their vaccinations last year."

Parents are now being urged to ensure they have completed the online consent form to enable these vaccinations to take place.

While information has already been sent directly to parents via their usual school communication platform, it's not too late to complete the consent form online: https://www.lincolnshireimmunisations.co.uk/DTPMen

The School Age Immunisations Service will contact parents again soon to confirm specific arrangements for vaccinations at each of Lincolnshire's secondary schools.

Anyone with any questions about the Meningococcal ACWY and Teenage Booster vaccinations or in need of help completing the online consent form should contact the School Age Immunisation Service on 01522 572950.

For more information about the different vaccines available, the School Age Immunisations Service or to find each school's unique identification code for consent forms, please [L] https://www.lincolnshirecommunityhealthservices.nhs.uk/our-services/childrens-services/immunisations {L+] click on the link here. [.L]