Walk-in vaccination clinics to open during Easter

Uptake of the second dose of the vaccine is 85.5% in Peterborough - lower than the county figure of 93.2%

Walk-in clinics are being offered over Easter to encourage greater uptake of the measles vaccination.

Uptake of the second dose of the vaccine is 85.5% in Peterborough - lower than the county figure of 93.2%, according to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS).

Measles cases are rising across England and 9.5% of children in the East of England are not protected by the age of five, the ICS board said.

Since January, more than 1,450 people have received their vaccinations, including MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), HPV, Meningitis and DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio).

People will be able to access all necessary vaccinations at the walk-in clinics, depending on age, with MMR available for over one-year-olds, HPV for 12 to 24 year olds, meningitis vaccinations for 13 to 24 year olds - and DTP for over 14s.

Upcoming venues include Peterborough Town Hall, Doddington Hospital in March, the Grafton Centre in Cambridge, the Priory Centre in St Neots and the Oak Tree Centre in Huntingdon by appointment.

Check with GP

Vaccination programme lead at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB, Cali Makewell, said: “We’re really pleased that so many people have already come forward and got vaccinated at our walk-in clinics.

“Different groups of school age children will be offered some of these vaccines at school, such as HPV, so if you receive a consent form for your child to have a vaccination at school, please make sure you sign and return the consent form as soon as possible.

“I strongly urge any adult who’s not sure if they’ve had their childhood vaccinations to contact their GP practice to check."