Immunisation Champions in Primary Schools

Following the success of last year’s pilot project in Uist and Barra primary schools, the School Immunisation Champions initiative was expanded this year to include schools in Lewis and Harris.

The project, created by Isabell MacInnes, Health Protection and Screening Nurse Specialist, aims to inspire and empower school communities to support childhood vaccinations through fun and educational activities. It also helps pupils meet key learning outcomes across health and wellbeing, science, and social studies within the Curriculum for Excellence.

Pupils took part in four online training sessions where they learned about how diseases spread, the history of vaccines, and the impact of vaccine-preventable illnesses. The sessions also covered important topics like consent and confidentiality.

In their schools, the Immunisation Champions played an active role—setting up information displays, helping to distribute consent packs, and supporting School Nursing teams on vaccination day.

Each group also researched and delivered a one-minute presentation on a disease. These were enthusiastically received and delivered in both English and Gaelic, covering topics like MPOX, Measles, HPV, Influenza, Pertussis, Meningitis, Polio, Typhoid, and Rabies.

In November, all the champions will come together to share feedback on their experiences. Those who complete an evaluation form will be entered into a prize draw for a £15 voucher—kindly donated by NHS Western Isles.

Thank you to all the young champions for your amazing work in helping keep your communities healthy!