Parents and carers of all children aged 2 to 5 in NHS Lanarkshire are being reminded to get their child immunised against flu ahead of winter, particularly as immunity levels to flu may be lower this year.

Appointment letters have been arriving inviting 2 to 5-year-olds forward for the free flu nasal spray. The spray is a quick and painless way of delivering the flu vaccine to children and won’t give the child flu. The flu vaccine should start to protect most children about 10-14 days after they get their vaccination, so the earlier children are vaccinated, the better, before flu viruses start circulating.

Appointment letters for 2 to 5-year-olds, not yet in school, in NHS Lanarkshire are still being issued and parents and carers should look out for them in the post. The letters are being sent in age order, starting with the youngest.

Maureen Dearie, Locality Manager, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “If you have a child aged between 2 and 5 years who is not yet at school then we would encourage you to prioritise their flu vaccination appointment. If the appointment is not suitable, details of how to reschedule will be on the letter.

“The flu vaccine offers the best protection from flu this winter and can also help reduce additional pressures on the NHS caused by flu-related illness, so we’d urge all parents and carers to get their children vaccinated against flu this year.”

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nicola Steedman, said: “Flu can be serious, even for healthy children and young people. That’s why we’re offering flu vaccination to all children aged 2 and upwards to secondary school pupils in S6 this year. Flu season usually begins in December and the sooner your child is protected from flu, the better. It is likely that our immunity to flu is lower than in previous years due to lower levels of the flu viruses circulating last year while essential public health measures were in place, so it’s more important than ever to get your child vaccinated.

“I’d urge all parents and carers to take up the offer of getting the free flu vaccine for their child this year, to help keep them well and to help stop the spread of flu. The vaccine is safe and offers the best protection we have against flu.”

For more information about the flu vaccine, visit www.nhsinform.scot/childflu, call 0800 030 8013, or speak to a health or immunisation team.