Health visitors in some areas are set to offer vaccinations to children who have \u2018fallen through the cracks\u2019 as part of a one-year pilot programme. <\/p>\n
The government has unveiled plans for a \u00a32m pilot where health visitors will work to reach families facing barriers to vaccines.\n<\/p>\n
Under the initiative, health visitors across five areas of England will offer vaccinations during routine visits to families who have not taken up vaccinations via their GP practice. <\/p>\n
Related Article: <\/strong> GP practices to begin offering chickenpox vaccination<\/a>\n<\/p>\n The programme<\/a>, due to start in mid-January, will target families who have \u2018fallen through the cracks\u2019, the government said, including those including those not signed up with a GP, struggling with travel costs, childcare juggling, language barriers or other tough circumstances that prevent them reaching vaccinations at a GP practice.\n<\/p>\n Families will be identified by the NHS using GP records, health visitor notes and local databases.\n<\/p>\n And health visitors on the pilot will be given extra training to tackle tricky conversations with parents\u00a0and to give vaccinations safely. <\/p>\n There will be 12 pilots rolled out from mid-January across five regions of England, including: London, the Midlands, North East and Yorkshire, North West, and South West.\n<\/p>\n The government stressed the scheme was not designed to replace GP practices and that families should continue to get vaccinated there first, the pilot \u2018supports families with\u00a0children who\u2019d otherwise slip\u00a0through the net\u2019. <\/p>\n Related Article: <\/strong> \u2018Strong uptake\u2019 of whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy<\/a>\n<\/p>\n It added that the year-long trial will be evaluated before being rolled out across the country from 2027.\n<\/p>\n Health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting, said: \u2018Every parent deserves the chance to protect their child from preventable diseases, but some families have a lot going on and that can mean they miss out.\n<\/p>\n \u2018Health visitors are already trusted faces in communities across the country. By allowing them to offer vaccinations, we\u2019re using the relationships and expertise that already exist to reach families who need support most.\n<\/p>\n \u2018Fixing the NHS means tackling health inequalities head-on. By meeting families where they are, we\u2019re not just boosting vaccination rates \u2013 we\u2019re building a health service that works for everyone.\u2019 <\/p>\n Related Article: <\/strong> Safety alert over diabetes medication formulation change<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Last year NHS England announced that work was underway to test the use of health visitors in delivering flu jabs to children.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n