It’s back to school, for some pupils anyway.

The NHS Lanarkshire school immunisation team will be visiting schools across the county during the summer holidays as part of an immunisation catch-up programme.

Carol Anne Hammond, school immunisation nurse, explains: “Last year, because of Covid-19 restrictions, schools were closed and our team was unable to immunise pupils in some schools.

“We are offering catch-up immunisations during June and July, visiting the schools that were missed last year.”

The immunisation of the pupils is for their HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination and for third year boosters for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio and Meningococcal ACWY.

Vaccinations will take place in a large open space in the school, most likely the gym hall or the street area, and all measures will be in place to ensure Covid-19 guidelines are followed.

It is very important that pupils attend at the correct appointment time and that they bring a face covering to wear during their appointment.  Hand sanitisation points will be available before and after the session.

Carol Anne said: “On the day, each pupil will have an individual appointment time at their own school and the whole process should take around 20 minutes.

“It important that any pupil currently in third year, and some fourth year pupils, comes forward for their appointment. All parents should have received a letter informing them of this.

“We encourage every pupil who is invited to take up this opportunity.  If, however, pupils are not able to attend this vaccine appointment, they will be caught up in next year’s school campaign.”

A list of the catch up dates for each of the schools is listed below:

• 25/06/2021         Uddingston Grammar School – S3
• 28/06/2021         St Aidan’s High School (Wishaw) – S3 and S4
• 29/06/2021         Strathaven Academy – S3
• 30/06/2021         Airdrie Academy – S3 and S4
• 01/07/2021         Clyde Valley High School (Overtown, Wishaw) – S3 and S4
• 02/07/2021         John Ogilvie High School, Hamilton – S3 and S4
• 05/07/2021         St Margaret’s High School, Airdrie – S3 and S4
• 06/07/2021         Duncanrigg Secondary School, East Kilbride – S3
• 07/07/2021         St Andrew’s & St Bride’s High School  East Kilbride – S3
• 08/07/2021         Greenfaulds High School – S3
• 09/07/2021         Kilsyth High School – S3
• 09/07/2021         Lesmahagow High School – S3 and S4

Information on each vaccine is available on NHS Inform website https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines.