Visit our dedicated flu and covid-19 vaccine webpage at www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccine/ to view our week by week vaccination guide.
Dr Henry Prempeh, Health Protection 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.
Appointment letters for children 6 months to 4 years at risk and those aged 2 to 5 who are not in school have already started being issued with details of where and when the vaccine will be given.
If the time and place is not suitable parents and carers can call the number on their child’s appointment letter to reschedule.
Consent forms and information about this year’s flu vaccine have been sent home to parents and carers of school children on their return to school. Secondary pupils can self-consent but are encouraged to speak to a parent or carer first.
All primary and secondary school pupils with consent to be given the flu vaccine nasal spray will receive this at school between 4 September and 15 December.
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 and missing out on nursery, school or other activities.
“Please look out for your child’s appointment letter by post or a consent form in their school bag, and complete and return this to their school to ensure they get the vital protection this year’s flu vaccine offers.”
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: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines/child-flu-vaccine
