School Age Immunisation Service - Parent Newsletter
Annual Flu Vaccination Programme
All children are eligible to receive the flu vaccine. Parents and carers are sent a link to the online consent form between September and November, ahead of the school vaccination session.
The vaccine is usually given as a nasal spray. For children who cannot have the nasal spray due to medical or religious reasons, a porcine-free injectable vaccine is available. Details about how to request this are included on the electronic consent form.
Why should I get my child vaccinated?
Flu is a highly infectious illness that children can catch and spread easily. For many children, flu can be very unpleasant and may lead to complications such as ear infections, bronchitis, or pneumonia. In some cases, it can result in serious illness requiring hospital treatment.
Vaccinating your child not only helps protect them from flu but also reduces the spread of the virus to others who may be more vulnerable to serious illness, including babies, pregnant women, older adults, and those with long-term health conditions.
What if my child misses their school vaccination session?
If you provide consent for your child to receive the flu vaccine and they are absent on the day of the school session, you will automatically receive an email inviting you to book an appointment at a local community clinic, ensuring your child still has the opportunity to be vaccinated.
It's not too late to complete the consent form. Even if your child's school vaccination session has already taken place, submitting a form now will allow you to book an appointment at a local community clinic.
For contact details and further information about the School Aged Immunisation Service and the vaccination programmes offered, please visit:
