With young people across Ayrshire now back at school, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is urging parents and carers to ensure their child is protected against flu this winter.
The vaccine will be offered to the following groups:
- all school aged pupils,
- all children aged 2-5 and not yet in school, and
- children aged 6 months to 2 years old with a condition that puts them at increased risk of flu.
Home educated children and those of school age but not attending mainstream education are also eligible.
The flu vaccine is offered as a painless nasal spray to almost all children. It cannot give the child flu but starts to provide protection against flu within 10-14 days. The nasal spray offers the best possible protection for children and young people and can also stop flu spreading to family, friends and others, especially those most at risk of becoming seriously ill with flu. Children aged 2 to 5 are being offered vaccination from the start of the programme (from 1 September 2024) to ensure they receive the earliest protection and prevent the virus spreading.
Appointment letters for children 6 months to 2 years at risk and those aged 2 to 5 not yet in school will start arriving at homes from this weekwith details of where and when the vaccine will be given.
Parents and carers should call the number on their child’s letter if they need to reschedule or if their child has missed their appointment for whatever reason.
For school-aged children, consent forms and further information will be sent home to parents and carers. 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 with vaccine teams visiting between September through to December 2024.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Public Health Director Lynne McNiven said:
“The flu virus changes every year, that’s why it’s important to get an annual vaccination so that your child has the most up to date protection. Getting your child vaccinated against flu using the nasal (nose) spray vaccine 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. Be sure to complete and return the consent form to their school to ensure they get the vital protection this year’s flu vaccine offers.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
To help raise awareness about the nasal (nose) spray vaccine and how it’s the easiest and safest way for children and young people to get protected against flu, Public Health Scotland is launching a brand-new campaign titled ‘Help beat flu with a wee scoosh’ which will be promoted across radio and other paid media throughout the autumn.
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.
Those eligible for the childhood and school flu vaccination programme include:
- children aged 6 months to 2 years at higher risk of flu
- children aged 2 to 5 years (on 1 September 2024 and not yet at school)
- all primary school children in Scotland (primary 1 to primary 7)
- all secondary school pupils (S1 to S6)
Last winter, 59.3% of the entire eligible childhood population received a flu vaccine, with primary school uptake being the strongest at 69%.
Children who are eligible and who may be home educated, or clinically at risk children who may not be attending school at the time will be offered vaccination through local arrangements. Look out for details arriving by post.
In a small number of cases, the nasal spray may not be suitable. Children aged 2 to 17 years who cannot receive the nasal spray will receive the vaccine as an injection in the arm.
If a young person has left secondary school, they are not eligible to get a flu vaccine at school. 16 and 17 year olds with an eligible health condition who have left school can phone 01294 315385 or 01294 317281 to book an appointment for the flu vaccine
For more information about the child flu vaccine, visit NHS Inform: nhsinform.scot/childflu