To ask the Minister of Health (i) how parents are contacted in relation to their child’s vaccination schedule and appointments; (ii) for his assessment of the risks of these methods being unsuccessful in contacting parents; and (iii) for his assessment of ways of how to best ensure parents are kept informed about their child’s vaccination requirements and appointments.

In relation to part (i), the Child Health System (CHS) centrally schedules vaccinations for children according to the routine schedule. For preschool vaccinations, an appointment card is sent to the parents either with a specific time and date for their child’s appointment, or it will ask them to contact their GP practice to make an appointment. It is up to each GP practice to choose the option used for their appointment cards.

For school-based vaccinations, the CHS will schedule vaccinations according to school year and will liaise with the school nursing team to offer vaccination in the school setting. Letters are sent out from the school nursing service about the scheduled vaccine together with information about the vaccine being offered and a consent form. Parents are given the telephone number of the school nursing service and invited to phone if they have any questions.

In relation to part (ii), as the CHS works on a central and regional basis, it has been shown to be successful in contacting children, where the contact details are kept up to date. Parents are encouraged to keep their contact details up to date with their GP and this information is shared with CHS to issue appointments. The Public Health Agency undertakes a number of actions to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining the CHS record. As with all systems, the CHS relies on the information it holds being updated, but parents can contact their GP, health visitor or school nurse if they want to review their child’s vaccination status.

It is recognised that some parents, for example who do not have English as a first language, may find it difficult to understand the various communications issued. In the case of the primary immunisation appointment cards, these are discussed with parents when the health visitor calls for scheduled visits. In situations where parents do not speak English, the translator accompanying the health visitor will be able to translate the information provided.

In relation to part (iii), parents are kept informed in a number of ways regarding the vaccinations available for their child, this starts with the pregnancy book and the “birth to five” books, which are available to all parents to inform them of what vaccines their child should receive and when. The Personal Child Health Record (PCHR), given to parents at the time of birth, also lists the vaccinations given in childhood and has a facility to record when their child has had their vaccinations.

GPs and other healthcare professionals are encouraged to promote vaccination at every encounter a child/parent has with services. Health visitors will also promote the uptake of vaccinations with parents at the “healthy child, healthy future” contacts which are scheduled when a child is 10-14 days old, 8 weeks, 14-16 weeks, 6-9 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3+ review. In addition, vaccination is encouraged through School Nursing at the P1 ‘Health Appraisal’ and in advance of the vaccinations offered in school years 9 and 11.

For each vaccination appointment, parents will be issued an individual communication from the Child Health System. For preschool vaccinations, this will be via the GP. For school-based vaccinations, this will be from the local Trust school nursing team.

Going forward, as we develop digital health records, it is intended that children’s vaccination records will become available to parents through their child’s e-health record. These developments will have the potential to make it easier to make vaccination appointments as well as issue reminders.