We're encouraging flu vaccination for school children
Monday, 9 October 2023
We're urging child flu vaccination. Reduces flu's impact this winter and prevents spread to vulnerable groups. Free vaccinations for school children and eligible pre-schoolers. Nasal spray for most.
We're encouraging parents and carers to support the seasonal flu vaccination for their children. Flu can be unpleasant and disruptive – and in some cases can be very dangerous and even life threatening - especially for those with certain health conditions, older people, pregnant people and very young children. Getting vaccinated is our best protection against flu.
Children from reception to year 11 will be offered a free vaccination at school. Parents and carers are already being contacted by the school aged immunisation service with information about the vaccine and encouraging completion of consent forms as soon as possible.
For eligible preschool children (aged 2 or over on 31 August 2023) and children aged 6 months and over who are in a clinical risk group, local general practices will invite parents to bring their children in for vaccination in the coming weeks.
Vicky Head, Director of Public Health, emphasised the importance of this programme, saying:
Our aim is to help reduce hospital admissions due to flu and promote vaccine uptake to ensure the wellbeing of our children.
Children can easily catch and spread flu. Each year, many local children miss valuable school days because of flu-related illnesses. Vaccination not only protects them but also protects other vulnerable family members, such as grandparents, babies and pregnant people.
Remember: vaccination is free, safe and effective, and it can protect your child from a nasty illness this winter.
Most children aged 2 and over will receive the flu immunisation as a nasal spray, although an injection is available for those unable to receive the nasal spray version. For those under 2 who are eligible, the vaccination will be given as an injection.