Dr Henry Prempeh, Public Health Consultant and Immunisation Co-ordinator is urging parents and carers to ensure their child gets their flu vaccine this winter.
The flu vaccine is usually given as a painless nasal spray and is a safe way to help protect your child against flu. It should start to protect most children against flu about 10-14 days after being vaccinated and will reduce the risk of your child getting flu or spreading it to family and friends who are at greater risk from flu.
Parent with children 6 months to 2 years at risk and those aged 2 to 5 who are not in school are being urged to contact our vaccination team on 01698 687456 to book an appointment for their child.
Dr Prempeh said: “The flu virus changes every year, that’s why it’s important to get your child vaccinated so that your child has the most up to date protection. Getting your child vaccinated against flu can also protect them from other infections with bacteria that can follow flu, and prevent them from getting sick.
“Please contact our vaccination team and get your young child booked into one of our clinics.”
School children are already being provided consent forms and information about this year’s flu vaccine through their school and parents are being urged to return the signed consent form to the school as soon as possible.
All primary and secondary school pupils with consent to be given the flu vaccine nasal spray will receive this at school between 16 September and the end of January 2025.
Influenza (flu) is an infectious respiratory virus. Symptoms may include a fever, a cough, a headache, and tiredness.
The annual vaccine offers protection against the most common types of flu virus that are around each winter.
For more information about the child flu vaccine, visit NHS Inform.
