Vaccines protect you from serious illnesses and help keep your friends, family, and community safe. Here’s a quick guide to what’s offered in East Sussex.
If you’re under 19 and live in East Sussex, West Sussex, or Brighton and Hove, you can get key vaccines through school or catch-up clinics. These include HPV, meningitis, MMR and flu.
Missed one? You can book a catch-up appointment online or by phone, with clinics available after school, during holidays, and some weekends.
Vaccines on offer
- Flu – Every year from reception to year 11
- Human Papillomavirus or HPV is given to young people in year 8 but you can catch-up until you’re aged 20. Although most HPV infections go away on their own, some types of HPV may cause infections that increase the risk of certain cancers and pre-cancerous cell changes. This vaccine protects against types of HPV cancers, like anal cancer and cervical cancer.
- TdIPV – The Td/IPV vaccine, sometimes known as the teenage booster or three-in-one protects against three separate diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and polio. This is given in year nine at the same time as the meningitis vaccine but you can catch-up until you are 20.
- MenACWY (Meningitis and Septicaemia) – This vaccine is given in year nine. The meningitis vaccine gives some protection against meningitis A, B, C, W and Y. Meningitis and septicaemia can lead to life-changing disabilities, such as amputations, hearing loss and brain damage. Older teenagers and new university students are at higher risk of infection because they’re mixing with lots of new people, some of whom may have the meningitis bacteria at the back of their nose and throat without realising it. Young people can book into one of our clinics up until the age of 20 or ask a GP for this vaccine until the turn 25, if this was missed at school or before coming to the UK to study.
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine. Year eight and 11 pupils will be offered the vaccination at school if they haven’t had this before. This vaccine is given as an injection in the arm. It protects against three serious illnesses: measles, mumps, rubella (german measles) These highly infectious conditions can easily spread between unvaccinated people. Getting vaccinated is important, as these conditions can also lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella.”
Where are vaccines given?
In school – nurses visit your school during the year.
If you miss it – you can go to a catch-up clinic after school or in the holidays.
You can go to any clinic in East Sussex, no matter where you live.
Not in mainstream school?
If you’re home educated, you’ll be invited to a clinic or even a home visit if needed.
Need help or have questions?
📞 Heathfield Team: 01273 696011 ext. 2080
📞 Uckfield Team: 01273 696011 ext. 4931
How to contact East Sussex School Health:
📞 Phone: 0300 123 4062
📧 Email: kentchft.esschoolhealthservice@nhs.net
📒 Refer: www.kentcht.nhs.uk/forms/school-health-service-east-sussex-referral-form
We’re available Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays).
You don’t have to do this on your own. A teacher, parent, carer or another trusted adult can help you get in touch or make a referral.
If you need urgent help, contact your GP, call NHS 111, or dial 999 in an emergency.
