Integrating immunizations into the programme

Immunization is a highly successful public health intervention providing protection against serious infectious diseases. UK vaccine uptake rates are generally high, although pockets of lower uptake and social inequalities remain which compromise herd protection. The child health programme provides health professionals opportunities to introduce immunization to parents, offer ongoing information and advice, and remind them when vaccines are due. Improving and maintaining high vaccine rates depends on multicomponent strategies. In view of their relationship with families, health visitors are the key professionals to work with them to ensure that children are immunized fully and in a timely fashion, although in practice they now do not usually deliver vaccines.