Education and Early Years Providers: Health protection.
Building on the positive relationships we have developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Protection Team will continue to have increased emphasis on the overall prevention of a range of infections. The team will provide information and guidance to support with prevention and the control of infectious diseases within your setting.
Further detail about the infection work will be circulated in future bulletins.
Health protection updates
Please review the updated UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) infection management guidance for educational settings. These updates include revised infection exclusion resources. To help maintain a safe and healthy environment for children and staff, please check that your current procedures are in line with this updated guidance.
Farm visits
Farm visits are a popular education activity for schools and families. While generally safe, visits to farms can present a small risk of infection from animals or the farm environment. School staff should be aware of these risk and take appropriate steps to minimise them. UKHSA has produced practical guidance to support schools in planning and supervising safe farm visits. Please see the avoiding infection on farm visits: advice for the public guidance, as well as the Teacher's code of practice.
Useful links
Subscribe to the Health Protection Newsletter
Period product scheme for schools and colleges
Complete routine immunisation schedule
Norovirus: information for parents, schools and early years providers if a child is sick
Cold weather guidance: Supporting vulnerable people before and during cold weather: for teachers and educational professionals
Hot weather guidance: Looking after children and those in early years settings before and during hot weather: teachers and other educational professionals
Hot weather and heatwaves: guidance for schools and other education settings.
There has been an increase in measles cases across England, with outbreaks particularly affecting children who are not fully vaccinated, including those in schools and early years settings. Ensuring that children who missed their MMR/MMRV vaccinations are brought up to date is now a key priority to help prevent further rises in measles cases.
What to do if you think your child has measles and when to keep them off school
How the MMRV protects against 4 potentially serious illnesses, including measles and chickenpox