NHS Western Isles launches Immunisations Champions initiative in Western Isles Schools

A pilot project, intended to increase understanding and awareness of vaccination amongst young people, is underway in schools across the Western Isles.

Primary schools in Uist and Barra and all three secondary schools across the Western Isles were offered the opportunity, by NHS Western Isles, to nominate pupils to become ‘Immunisation Champions’ for NHS Western Isles.

The pupils attended four online training sessions – led by Isabell MacInnes, Health Protection and Screening Nurse Specialist, NHS Western Isles.

During the training sessions, the pupils developed their understanding of how diseases spread, the history of vaccines, the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases and the uptake of vaccination across Scotland. The sessions also discussed the importance of consent and confidentiality.

The project fulfils experiences and outcomes across health and wellbeing, sciences and social studies within Curriculum for Excellence.

The Champions had to research and give a one-minute presentation on a disease, which was very enthusiastically received and delivered by the pupils. Presentations were given on various diseases such as: Rabies, Measles, Mpox, Smallpox, Flu, Malaria and Polio.

The Champions in each school set up information displays in the schools and have helped with getting the consent packs out to all pupils. They will also be supporting the school nursing teams when they deliver the flu vaccine.

As a thank you to the primary school pupils who took part in the pilot project, NHS Western Isles donated three £15 vouchers, the winners of which were chosen at random.

The pupils really enjoyed the sessions, learned a lot about immunisations and the different disease that they protect against. One of the children commented: “I loved seeing the other schools' presentations on a disease.”