Health chiefs are urging parents, families and guardians to contact their local GP practice to make sure their children’s vaccinations are up to date before they start school.
Representatives from the NHS across the North West said that as we come to understand the true scale of the impact that COVID-19 has had on us all, failure to vaccinate children could lead them to be at risk from avoidable illnesses.
Many children could have missed the routine pre-school booster for tetanus, polio, diphtheria and whooping cough for any number of reasons.
Local immunisation programmes are available across the region as the new school year gets underway If you receive an invitation for your child to be vaccinated, it is important that they receive their vaccinations in order for them to be protected against illnesses.
Dianne Draper,Screening and Immunisations Lead (SIL) for Lancashire and South and Cheshire and Merseyside said:
“Vaccines are an absolutely essential part of our children’s health and wellbeing, so if you or any member of your household are not displaying symptoms of coronavirus and are not self-isolating, vaccinations should happen as normal.
“Local services are working hard to ensure that people including babies, children and pregnant women still receive their routine vaccinations – they provide essential protection against potentially life-threatening diseases.
Helen Morear is mum to four year old Maxwell and one-year old Oliver. Maxwell starts school in September and has received all his pre-school vaccinations from his GP practice.
Helen said:
“It was really important to me that both my boys received all their vaccinations. With the added worry of coronavirus, it makes me feel happier to know that they are both fully protected.
“Oliver received some of his vaccinations during lockdown, we were a little worried about going into the GP practice, however as soon as we arrived I was put at ease. The practice has put so many safety measures in place, our worries were soon gone.”
“I would encourage other families with children to attend for their vaccinations when invited.”
A full list of vaccinations and when they are available, for children and adults, is accessible through the NHS website.
Pictured (L-R) - Anthony, Maxwell (aged 4), Helen and Oliver (aged1) Morear.
A smallholding in Kelsall, Applecross Farm, is set to transform into a live music venue on Saturday 6th September, hosting an end-of-harvest farm party that brings together food, drink, music, and community – all in support of a new farm shop and wellbeing hub for the local area.
Residents are being encouraged by Cheshire West and Chester Council to build upon the Borough’s excellent recycling rates by supporting communities to ‘recycle right’.
A Chester business owner has been fined over £7,500 for illegal tobacco offences, after the discovery of illegal products concealed behind a fob-activated shutter door.
The ongoing and very successful Operation Flycatcher has once again seen Cheshire West and Chester Council join forces with Cheshire Constabulary to carry out intensive enforcement throughout the borough to tackle fly tipping and waste transfer offences.
After receiving their GCSE examination results today (Thursday 21 August 2025), young people across Cheshire West and Chester have been celebrating their success.
The Countess of Chester Hospital has been recognised for making one of the biggest improvements in the country in how it trains and supports early-career doctors working in obstetrics and gynaecology – the teams that care for women during pregnancy, birth, and a wide range of women’s health conditions.
The Council are proud to announce that twelve care leaders from across Cheshire West and Chester have just wrapped up an inspiring journey through the My Home Life England Professional Support and Development Programme – and wow, what a ride it’s been!
Cheshire West and Chester Council has announced that David Redpath-Smith, a dedicated Social Work Practice Manager and Practice Educator from Cheshire West and Chester Council, has been named a finalist in the prestigious Social Worker of the Year Awards.
Cheshire West and Chester Council has announced that Kathryn Auckland, Specialist Moving and Handling Occupational Therapist and Trainer, has been shortlisted for the National Back Exchange Rising Star Award.
Some fascinating new discoveries have come to light as the county’s shared archives service continues its preparations for its move to two new state-of-the-art centres in Chester and Crewe next year.
Over 200 shop staff, managers and store owners have been surveyed by Cheshire Police for their opinions on how crime in their town is dealt with by local officers.