This vaccination is recommended to help protect your child against flu. Flu can be an unpleasant illness and can cause serious complications. Vaccinating your child will also help protect more vulnerable family and friends by preventing the spread of flu. With COVID-19 in circulation it is more important than ever to reduce the number of those becoming ill with flu this winter to help protect them and the NHS.

The vaccination is free and is a quick and simple spray up the nose. Even if your child had it last year, the type of flu can vary each winter so it is recommended to have the flu vaccine again this year or they won’t be protected.

Your child’s flu vaccination will be given in school between now and December. For specific dates please refer to your school communications.

Please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/ for further advice about the vaccination programme and details about the small number of children for whom the nasal vaccine is not appropriate. A leaflet explaining the vaccination programme is also attached.

While COVID-19 is in circulation, the healthcare team and school will follow guidelines to ensure children are safe when being offered the vaccine.

Please follow the link below to complete the consent form for your child:

Please ensure you submit your form prior to the deadline to ensure your child receives their vaccination in school. Once the deadline closes you will only be able to access the vaccination from a community catch up clinic. If you do not want your child to receive the flu vaccination you are not required to submit the consent form.

Since the programme was introduced, most children offered the vaccine in schools had the immunisation.

If you have any queries please contact the School Aged Immunisation Team on
0300 111 1022 (option 4).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Please inform us immediately if any of the following occurs:
• If your child is unwell or has been off school in the 48 hours prior to vaccination.
• If your child has a temperature the day before or on the day of vaccination.
• If your child is has been wheezy in the 48 hours prior to the vaccination session or they have had their asthma medication increased.
• If your child has taken or been commenced on oral steroids in the 2 weeks prior to the vaccination session.
• If your child has been given the vaccination elsewhere.

If you need to inform us of any changes on the day of vaccination please contact your child’s school.

Yours sincerely

School Aged Immunisation Team