Parents and carers of pre-school and primary aged children are being encouraged to make sure their child gets the free flu vaccine this winter.
Given as a painless nasal spray, the vaccine not only helps protect children but can also help prevent them spreading the virus to more vulnerable family members and friends over the winter months.
Invitation appointment letters for 2 to 5-year-old pre-school children were posted from August and primary school aged children have received consent forms for in-school vaccination sessions taking place this autumn around Ayrshire. If your child has missed their appointment or school clinic, or has been given an appointment that’s not suitable, they can attend a Childhood Vaccination Team drop-in session. The locations and times are listed below:
- Saturday 11 November
- North Ayr Health Centre, 9.15am – 12.30pm
- Friday 24 November
- Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine 4pm – 6.30pm
- Saturday 25 November
- Kilbirnie Health Centre, 9.30am – 3pm
- North Ayr Health Centre, 9.15am – 12.30pm
- East Ayrshire Community Hospital, Cumnock, 8.30am – 1.30pm
- Sunday 26 November
- Northwest Area Centre, Kilmarnock, 8.30am – 1.30pm
- Saturday 9 December
- Galleon Centre, Kilmarnock, 8.30am – 1.30pm
- Sunday 10 December
- Cumnock Town Hall, 8.30am – 1.30pm
- Monday 11 December
- Newmilns Clinic, 3.30pm – 7.30pm
- Thursday 14 December
- Dalmellington Community Centre, 3.30pm – 7.30pm
Please note these clinics can only accommodate pre-school children age 2 to 5 years and primary school aged children (only after a vaccination session has been held in the relevant school).
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Director of Public Health Lynne McNiven said:
“Flu can be serious, even for otherwise healthy children. That’s why all 2 to 5-year-olds and school aged children are being offered the flu vaccine this winter. The flu virus is always changing, so your child needs to get the vaccine every year to make sure they have the best protection.
“The vaccine is a quick, painless, nasal spray, and will just feel like a tickle in their nose. If your child has missed their appointment or you need to reschedule, you can head along to one of the drop-in sessions being run by our Childhood Vaccination Teams.”
For more information about the childhood flu vaccine, visit www.nhsinform.scot/childflu or call:
- Pre-school aged children in North Ayrshire: 01294 317265 or 01294 317262
- Pre-school aged children in South Ayrshire: 01294 317268 or 01294 317262
- Pre-school aged children in East Ayrshire: 01294 317263 or 01294 317262
- All school aged children: 01294 317271 or 01294 317262
ENDS
Background
For updates on drop-in seasonal flu vaccination clinics offered by the Childhood Vaccination Team please visit: https://www.nhsaaa.net/services/services-a-z/flu-vaccine/