New Guidance to Support Vaccination for Children and Young People with SEND
Parents and carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can now access new guidance to help them prepare for school age vaccinations.
The Department of Health and Social Care and the UK Health Security Agency have published two new leaflets. These resources aim to make vaccination information easier to understand and help children and young people with SEND access vaccinations in a safe and supportive way.
Information for Parents and Carers
The new leaflet for parents and carers provides clear and practical advice about school age vaccinations for children and young people with SEND. You can view the leaflet here.
The leaflet explains:
why vaccinations are important
how vaccinations help protect children and young people from serious illness
what to expect at a vaccination appointment
how to prepare a child or young person before their appointment
where to find trusted information about vaccinations
The guidance also addresses common questions and concerns raised by parents and carers of children and young people with SEND.
Many children and young people may need extra support when attending healthcare appointments. The leaflet includes practical tips to help make the experience as comfortable as possible. This can help families understand the process and feel more confident before the appointment.
Support for Schools and Specialist Settings
A second leaflet has been produced for specialist providers and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs) in mainstream schools. This will be sent to your school SENCOs for the start of the new academic year.
This guidance supports schools and education settings to:
explain why vaccination matters
help children and young people understand the benefits of vaccination
work with families to support informed decisions
make vaccination programmes more accessible and inclusive
provide a safe and supportive environment during vaccination sessions
The guidance highlights the important role that schools and specialist settings play in helping children and young people receive the protection they need.
Making Vaccinations More Accessible
Children and young people with SEND may have different needs when attending vaccination appointments. The new resources encourage schools and vaccination teams to consider reasonable adjustments and flexible approaches where needed.
Examples may include:
providing clear information in advance
allowing extra time for appointments
using visual supports
creating calmer spaces where possible
working closely with families to understand individual needs
These approaches can help reduce anxiety and improve the experience for children and young people.
Where to Find the Guidance
Parents, carers, schools and professionals can access the leaflets through the guidance page:
Supporting vaccination for SEND children and young people
The resources provide reliable information and practical advice to help families and education settings support children and young people through school age vaccination programmes.
Why This Matters
Vaccinations help protect children and young people from serious diseases. For children and young people with SEND, having the right support and information can make it easier to access these important health services.
The new leaflets aim to ensure that families, schools and professionals have the information they need to work together. By taking an inclusive approach, schools and health services can help more children and young people receive vaccinations in an environment that meets their needs and supports their wellbeing.
For more information, visit the GOV.UK guidance page on supporting vaccination for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).