Vaccinations and Boosters – Community Health Champions

New HPV website

vast — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:02:36 +0000

Launch of HPV website for families and professionals

A new website to help young people and their parents find out more about the HPV vaccine is now available.

The HPV Inform website will help to tackle HPV vaccine misinformation and give families the information they need to make decisions to protect their children’s health.

Research carried out in Stoke-on-Trent found that young people and their parents don’t know enough about the vaccine which aims to protect against cancer and other serious health conditions.

It also found that anti-vax sentiment and cultural and religious beliefs were contributing to low take-up of the vaccine which is offered to pupils in high school – the number of young people getting the vaccine is about 20 percent below national average for both males and females.

The HPV vaccine helps to protect against human papillomavirus – a very common group of viruses which is usually spread through direct skin to skin contact, especially during sexual activity. Although not everyone exposed to it will develop symptoms or an infection, in extreme cases it can cause genital warts and cancers including cervical cancer, mouth cancer and cancers affecting the genitals in males and females.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Public Health team enlisted VAST’s Community Health Champions (CHC) project to understand why more young people in the city weren’t getting the HPV vaccine.

A project report made a number of recommendations designed to improve the take up of the vaccine locally. These include the creation of myth busting videos presented by people from a broad range of communities which directly address their concerns.

The new website created by the Health Protection Unit in Evaluation and Behavioural Science at the University of Bristol includes resources developed for young people, for parents and carers, for professional and communities.

This includes videos to answer questions young people may have about the HPV vaccine and prepare them to have the vaccine at school as well as videos to help address concerns parents/carers may have about the vaccine. Other resources include lesson plans about the HPV vaccine for use by schools and healthcare professionals plus a helpful Q&A section.

New chickenpox vaccine available to children in Stoke-on-Trent

vast — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:23:29 +0000

New chickenpox vaccine available to children

A new chickenpox (varicella) vaccine has been introduced to protect children from this common but sometimes serious illness.

Now, children born on or after 1 July 2024 will be offered a combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age.

There will also be a single dose catch-up vaccination available for children aged up to six years who have not received their first dose or have missed a dose and have not had chickenpox before.

Heather Johnstone, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board , said:

“Children, especially those with underlying health conditions, are regularly admitted to hospital with complications from chickenpox. The introduction of the varicella vaccine will make a real difference in preventing these cases and ensuring children stay healthy.

“It’s really important that families take up the offer of vaccination when invited, as it provides the best protection for their children and helps stop the spread of the illness to more vulnerable people in the community.”

Matthew Missen, Consultant in Public Health, added:

“This is a really positive step for families across our area. The chickenpox vaccine has been safely used for decades and is already part of the routine vaccine schedules in several countries, including Canada, Australia and Germany. While many people think of chickenpox as a mild childhood illness, it is highly contagious and can cause serious complications for some people.

From January 2026, parents and carers will receive invitations when their child is due to have the chickenpox vaccine. Vaccinations will usually take place at GP surgeries as part of the routine childhood immunisation appointments.

Children eligible for the catch-up programme will also be contacted by their GP practice. Parents who think their child may have missed a vaccination can speak to their GP, practice nurse or health visitor to check and arrange an appointment.

Help us to share the importance of vaccine research

vast — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:54:44 +0000

Help us to share the importance of vaccine research

Come and join us for a discussion on how we can encourage people in our local communities to take part in research on vaccines.

The Community Health Champions project is working with the Research and Innovation department at Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) to understand how best to get people involved.

The discussion will take place at the Dudson Centre, Hanley on Thursday 16th October from 9.30am – 11.30am.

Research on vaccines is essential for developing safe, effective immunisations against existing and emerging infectious diseases. Vaccinations save lives, reduce long-term health complications and prevent the spread of illness within communities.

Research and Innovation Project Manager at the MPFT Nicki Evans said: “For research to have an impact, it needs to be communicated well. When people understand and connect with the message, they’re more likely to feel empowered to get involved. That’s why we’re focusing on communication methods that really work for our local communities, to help boost participation.”

Community Health Champions who wish to take part should book their place by clicking on the link or email CHC@vast.ac.uk Everyone taking part will receive a £50 shopping voucher as a thank you for their time and input.

What’s the deal with vaccines? Young Voices, Expert Answers

vast — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:31:41 +0000

Information from: Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board

Young Voices, Expert Answers

Vaccines are safe and effective.

In this video, Dr Victoria Stanford and two local young people discuss some key questions about vaccines including:

Why should we get vaccines?
Are they safe?
Who should we trust if we want more information?

For information about vaccines offered to young people and which diseases they protect against, please click here.

UKHSA webinar: childhood immunisation schedule changes

vast — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 09:37:08 +0000

Information from: UK Health Security Agency

Childhood Vaccination Programme Changes Webinar

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Immunisation Team is hosting a webinar to talk you through the changes to routine childhood vaccinations. This includes infromation about the selective hepatitis B (HepB) programme starting in July, as well as the introduction of a new routine vaccination appointment at 18 months of age.

This webinar is aimed at health professionals involved in the commissioning and delivery of childhood immunisations including those working in primary care, screening and immunisation teams, health visiting teams and integrated care boards (ICBs).

Webinar Date: Wednesday 11th June 2025
Start and End Time: 2:00 – 3:15 pm

There is also an opportunity to pre-submit any questions to the panel. You can do this on this form. This will help us ensure the presentations are tailored to what attendees want to know. There will be an opportunity for live Q&A in the session.

Vaccinations and Boosters – Community Health Champions

New HPV website

Launch of HPV website for families and professionals

New chickenpox vaccine available to children in Stoke-on-Trent

New chickenpox vaccine available to children

Help us to share the importance of vaccine research

Help us to share the importance of vaccine research

What’s the deal with vaccines? Young Voices, Expert Answers

Young Voices, Expert Answers

UKHSA webinar: childhood immunisation schedule changes

Childhood Vaccination Programme Changes Webinar

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