PARENTS in Renfrewshire are being urged to make sure the coronavirus crisis doesn't prevent them from making sure their children are immunised against other diseases.

There are concerns that, with so much attention focused on the Covid-19 epidemic, some mums and dads won't attend medical appointments that were arranged to protect their kids from the likes of measles, mumps and meningitis.

Dr Emilia Crighton, Renfrewshire’s deputy director of public health, said: “Even at this challenging time where the country is dealing with Covid-19, we really want parents and carers to get their children immunised so they are protected against other diseases that can be extremely serious in a young child.

“As long as the child, everyone in the household and the one parent or carer bringing the child to the appointment are well, and not showing signs of coronavirus, then it’s safe to attend for routine vaccinations.”

Dr Crighton stressed that immunisation is the best way of protecting children against other serious diseases.

She added: “Once they have been immunised, their bodies are better able to fight these diseases, if they come in contact with them.

“Immunisation helps protect against serious diseases such as measles, mumps, whooping cough, meningitis and polio. The benefit of immunisation is that your child has the best possible protection against dangerous diseases. This can give you peace of mind.”

For general information related to immunisation, visit www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/why-immunise/benefits-of-immunisation.

If you need more details about a forthcoming immunisation appointment, call the pre-school immunisation team on the number included in your immunisation appointment letter.

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