Children's Health
Page last reviewed: 10 January 2026
Page created: 23 February 2023
Page created: 23 February 2023
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Your child’s growth and their ongoing development and health are important for you and your family.
The websites and resources below offer helpful information and support:
We are happy to speak with you about a health assessment for your child. Please contact us for our Child Health Assessment service.
Childhood immunisation is an important aspect of your child's healthcare. In accordance with the NHS Vaccination Schedule, we offer routine childhood immunisations.
Routine childhood immunisations include Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and Haemophilus influenza type B immunisation, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox, Meningitis B, Meningitis C, Pneumococcus, Rotavirus, Hepatitis B, and Seasonal Influenza.
Please note the schedule below for information on NHS vaccinations for babies and children and when to have them, or visit the NHS website by following this link:>>
We will contact you when your child is due for a vaccination. But If you believe your child may have missed a vaccination, please contact us to let us know.
The MMRV vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine that replaced the MMR vaccine in the routine schedule on 1 January 2026. It protects your child against four serious illnesses in fewer injections:
These conditions are highly infectious and can spread easily between unvaccinated people.
Why the change?
The addition of the chickenpox component (Varicella) helps prevent this common, easily spread infection in children. It is usually mild, but it can lead to serious complications which need hospitalisation, including chest infections and fits.
By using the combined MMRV vaccine, the NHS has also moved the second dose earlier (from 3 years 4 months to 18 months) to ensure children are fully protected before they start nursery or pre-school.
The Vaccination Schedule
Two doses of the vaccine are required for lifelong protection. There is currently no medical treatment for measles, so vaccination is the only way to prevent becoming seriously unwell.
The MMR vaccine is still available for older children and adults born on or before 31 December 2019 who were not vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella when they were younger.
Visit the NHS website for more information about the MMRV vaccine here>>
CAMHS provides support to children and young people who are coping with significant mental health difficulties.
Learn more about what they can help with – and how:
Website www.camhsdorset.org
Telephone 01202 277000
A registered charity working in collaboration with Bournemouth University, University of Winchester, Dorset CAMHs and Public Health Dorset with the aim of improving children’s mental health through movement.
Learn more about their work:
Website www.stormbreak.org.uk
Email hello@stormbreak.org.uk
Castleman* Youth health page is here to help young people, their families and carers access health information and bring together the services available locally and nationally.
