Report outbreaks to your local Health Protection Team
North West London - 020 8327 7181
North East and North Central London - 020 3837 7084
South London – 0344 3262052
June 2016
Dear Headteacher,
Communicable Disease/Infection Control and this year’s flu programme for children
I am writing to provide some useful guidance regarding communicable disease/infection control in schools and key immunisation programmes for children. It is hoped this will act as a reminder of some of the key resources available ahead of the autumn term, including information on the influenza vaccine for children which is being extended to children in school years one, two and three this year.
As you may be aware, Public Health England (PHE) was established on 1 April 2013 with the aim of protecting and improving the nation’s health and to address inequalities, working with national and local partners.
The London Health Protection Teams (HPTs), which were formerly part of the Health Protection Agency, provide specialist advice and support to 33 London boroughs. The ‘Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare facilities’ (click here) is a helpful resource for teachers and carers. It provides guidance on infection control measures, childhood infections, recommendations on how long a child should be kept away from school, nursery or their childminders according to the type of infection or complaint they have been diagnosed with, and when it is appropriate to contact your local HPT. The guidance also includes hygiene advice and the UK childhood immunisation schedule.
Children are more susceptible to infectious diseases for a number of reasons including immature immunity, lack of prior exposure to infections and incomplete vaccinations. Social and environmental factors also play a part in children’s vulnerability and the spread of infections. Schools can be an ideal setting for transmission of infections as they provide an opportunity for a high degree of close contact and sharing of communal facilities such as toilets.
Good levels of cleanliness and hand hygiene can go a long way towards protecting children, parents and staff. There is an excellent online tool developed specifically to teach children about hand hygiene and the spread of infections. e-Bug is an exciting, fun and free health education resource for teachers and school aged children. The resources make learning about microbes, antibiotic resistance, and the spread, treatment and prevention of infection fun and accessible for all and can be found at: http://www.e-bug.eu/
Other resources include the Public Health England website, which has a topic-related site for infectious diseases, and NHS Choices.
If you suspect that a child or a staff member has an infectious illness such as measles or hepatitis A infection or if you suspect that there is an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting or flu at the nursery/school please contact your local HPT or speak to the school nurse for advice. The HPT can support the nursery/school by preparing letters and factsheets for parents and staff and provide public health advice on management of infectious diseases and environmental hazards.
Childhood immunisation programme:
· The annual flu immunisation programme will continue to extend this autumn term, with vaccination being offered again to all children of appropriate age for school year one and two and also for the first time to year three, starting in October 2016.
· The vaccine used is Fluenz Tetra and is in the form of a nasal spray. More information can be found here.
· The NHS is delivering the programme and immunisation will be offered in all areas, mostly via schools. Children in Reception (and children aged two or three) will be offered the vaccination by their GP. To be most effective, immunisation needs to take place between October and December. Schools may wish to consider this when making their plans for the 2016 to 2017 academic year.
· The London Borough of Havering will continue to deliver flu vaccine to all ages, following their successful pilot. Children attending schools which cater for pupils with special educational needs will also be included in the influenza vaccination programme. All children aged two, three and four will continue to be vaccinated by their GP. Children in clinical risk groups will also be vaccinated by their GP.
· A briefing for head teachers has been made available on .Gov.uk, along with other resources including a template consent form and information leaflet for parents.
· The National Childhood Immunisation Programme has undergone several changes in the last few months including the introduction of new vaccines (rotavirus, an oral vaccine against rotavirus infection, a common cause of diarrhoea and sickness, Fluenz and most recently Meningitis B). This is in addition to changes to the timing of other vaccines (MenC and Men ACWY). The Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR vaccine) should still be promoted as there have been confirmed cases of measles in 2016.
· Men ACWY – Since 2009 there has been an increase in the number of cases of meningococcal W in England. Cases have been reported in all age groups and in all regions in England thereby indicating the strain has become endemic. From September 2015, the Men C booster vaccine (routinely given at 14 years of age) was replaced by the MenACWY conjugate vaccine. The vaccine offers protection against meningococcal capsular group C. It also offers additional protection against A, W and Y groups.
· Men B - Started in 2015 for all infants born on or after the 1st May 2015. The Men B immunisation programme aims to reduce invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria Meningitidis capsular B in the UK in the most vulnerable group, which is babies aged under five months old.
· As winter approaches schools and nurseries will need to be vigilant for outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting and flu. Outbreaks can have a huge impact on school life for both pupils and staff, therefore it is important to ensure these are reported to either the HPT and/or the school nurse promptly.
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A winter preparedness pack will be sent out to all schools later this year.