Supporting Health and Immunisation in Schools
Why this matters
Schools are an important part of keeping children and young people healthy. As pupils start school or move between settings, they mix with new groups, increasing the chance of infections spreading.
Good health supports attendance, learning and wellbeing. Preventing illness through vaccination, hygiene and early action helps protect not only individual pupils, but the whole school community.
The World Health Organization states:
“The two public health interventions that have had the greatest impact on the world’s health are clean water and vaccines.”
A whole-school approach to health protection
Keeping schools healthy is about more than one programme. It includes:
- Promoting vaccination uptake
- Encouraging good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
- Managing infectious diseases effectively
- Sharing clear, trusted information with families
Together, these actions reduce the spread of illness and help minimise disruption to education.
The role of immunisation
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect children and young people from serious diseases such as:
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Flu
- Meningitis and septicaemia
- HPV-related cancers
High uptake of vaccines helps to:
- Prevent outbreaks in schools
- Protect vulnerable pupils and staff
- Reduce absence and disruption to learning
- Support wider community health
How schools can help
Schools play a vital role in supporting health and prevention by:
- Sharing accurate health information with parents and carers
- Encouraging completion of consent forms for vaccinations
- Supporting on-site vaccination sessions where available
- Promoting positive health behaviours
By taking this approach, schools help create a safer and healthier environment for everyone.
Information for parents and carers
Parents and carers are encouraged to use trusted sources to understand:
- Which vaccines are recommended and when
- Vaccine safety and possible side effects
- How immunisation protects their child
👉 Visit the NHS website for up-to-date guidance on childhood vaccinations
Practical resources for schools
We’ve brought together a small number of key resources to support schools in promoting health and preventing infection. These can be used in newsletters, classrooms, and staff guidance.
Core resources
- School aged immunisation service
- Flu vaccination in schools
- Don’t ignore the signs of meningitis (poster)
- Immunisation information (including MMR, flu and meningitis)
These resources are suitable for primary and secondary schools and can be adapted to your setting.
👉 e-Bug resources provide free, curriculum-linked activities and materials for primary and secondary schools,
Supporting school-based vaccination
School-based immunisation programmes are one part of a wider approach to protecting children’s health. They provide a convenient and effective way for many pupils to access vaccinations.
Supporting these programmes helps to increase uptake and ensures more children are protected at the right time.
Key message
Creating a healthy school environment is a shared responsibility. By promoting immunisation alongside good hygiene and clear communication, schools can:
✅ Protect pupils and staff
✅ Reduce illness and absence
✅ Support learning and wellbeing
✅ Contribute to healthier communities
