The First Four years - Approximate Dates

8 Weeks

• Developmental Check (Dr.)

• 1st Immunisations

12 Weeks

• 2nd Immunisations

16 Weeks

• 3rd Immunisations

8 - 12 Months

• Developmental Check

13 - 15 Months

• Immunisations - MMR

21 - 24 Months

• Developmental Assessment

3 Years

• Eye Testing (Orthoptist)

3 - 4 Years

• Pre-School Assessment

• Pre-School Immunisation

MEASLES

The UK has been named as one of the worst countries in Europe for measles, with case levels dashing global hopes of eradicating the disease by 2010. The Lancet study says that in 2006-7 most of the 12,000 cases in Europe were found in the UK and four other nations.

In a Lancet comment article, experts said the UK was only recovering slowly from the unsubstantiated scare that the MMR vaccine was linked to autism. The UK coverage fell below 85% between 2002 and 2005, in the wake of safety fears over the MMR vaccine, and has hovered at about that mark since.

That means there are "serious doubts" whether a World Health Organisation target to eradicate measles by 2010 will be reached, the researchers said.

MMR Update : Catch-up programme

If your child has not had two doses of MMR vaccine they are at risk of catching measles. Measles can be serious leading to pneumonia and even death.

If your child has not received a complete course of MMR vaccine (two doses), the Department of Health recommendation is that your child needs a catch-up dose of MMR vaccine.

If our records show that your child has not received a complete course of MMR vaccine, we are writing to invite you to bring your child to the surgery for this vaccination. If you think your child has NOT received a complete course but you have NOT received notification from us by 14th November 2008, please contact the surgery where a check can be made against the immunisation records.

This catch-up dose is important for your child because there has been a recent rise in cases of measles. Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known and MMR vaccine will protect your child from measles, mumps and rubella.

For more information on measles and the MMR vaccine please get in touch with your health visitor, practice nurse, GP or visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines

As an NHS provider we recommend the MMR vaccine for your child and hope that you will make an appointment with one of the practice nurses for this vaccination to be done.

HPV Update: Catch-up programme

Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine (commonly known as the HPV vaccine).

From autumn 2008, the vaccine will be offered every year to 12 to 13-year-old girls (school year 8).

A three-year catch-up programme will also start from autumn 2008 and will offer the vaccine to older girls aged 13-18. Please click here for further details.