A healthier Richmond: why vaccination is important for all of us

Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways we can protect our health and the health of those around us. In Richmond upon Thames, we are working closely with partners across London to strengthen understanding and confidence through the Why We Get Vaccinated campaign.

Throughout June, residents may have seen adverts across Richmond encouraging people to start conversations about vaccination. I would encourage everyone to keep these conversations going whether with family, friends or within the community, and to continue raising awareness of the important role vaccination plays in keeping us all safe and well.

Why vaccination matters in Richmond

Vaccines protect against serious diseases and help prevent infections from spreading, keeping you, your family and our communities safe.

While many people in Richmond are up to date with their vaccinations, we know that some may have missed theirs or their child’s over the years. It is never too late to catch-up, so do speak to your GP if you are unsure about which vaccinations you have had. You can also check in your or your child’s NHS App under the Home/Vaccinations section.

Making sure young children are protected

Vaccination in the early years (0–5) is especially important. Routine childhood vaccinations help protect babies and young children at a time when they are most vulnerable to infection.

Vaccines are a safe and effective way of protecting your child.

If you have any questions, for example about possible side effects or vaccine ingredients, speak to a healthcare professional, such as your GP, practice nurse, health visitor or a pharmacist. It is also important to use trusted sources of information about vaccines and be aware that misinformation can spread online.

Find out more:

• NHS vaccinations and when to have them
• Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself

The threat of measles

While measles is often thought of as a childhood illness, it can have very serious consequences at any age. Sadly, cases are rising again, particularly where people are not fully vaccinated.

Measles can affect anyone. A London pharmacist was admitted to hospital with symptoms after waking up with a rash all over her body: "Later that night, some of my organs started to fail including liver, kidney and lungs... After a week in hospital, I was finally discharged.

This whole experience was extremely frightening, and I would urge all parents to consider vaccinating their children so that they don’t have to go through what I did in adulthood."

I would encourage all parents and carers to take a moment to check that their child is up to date with their MMR/MMRV vaccinations. It’s a simple step that can protect them from a potentially life-threatening illness.

What you can do

In addition to checking that vaccines are up to date, there are simple steps everyone can take:

• Speak to your GP or a trusted healthcare professional if you have questions
• Use reliable NHS information to guide your decisions
• Have open conversations with family, friends and your community 

Working together for a healthier Richmond 

Through the Why We Get Vaccinated campaign, Richmond is part of a wider London effort to build trust, support informed choices and keep our communities healthy.

Together, through everyday conversations and small actions, we can help protect Richmond.

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