Flu vaccination aimed at primary school pupils

HUNDREDS of primary school pupils will benefit from free flu vaccinations as part of a county health scheme.

Youngsters from the age of four to 11 will get the protection thanks to Leicestershire Partnerships NHS Trust’s (LPT) annual immunisation programme.

School nurses will visit each primary in the borough as part of the programme offering a noninvasive nasal spray vaccination.

Most Hinckley and Bosworth schools are scheduled to receive the clinics in the latter stages of this month.

Last year more than 78,000 children across Leicestershire and Rutland were eligible for the vaccination programme.

Of these just over 47,000 were treated at 375 schools across the area.

A team of specialists nurses working across the county were vaccinating an average of 1,055 children each day during the ten week programme.

Suzanne Leatherland, immunisation service manager for LPT, said: “Once again we have an amazing team of over 100 staff who are preparing to deliver the nasal flu vaccination in partnership with schools.

“Information packs have already been sent out with the dates for the immunisation sessions.

“Alongside the consent form, parents are provided with an information leaflet about the nasal flu vaccination.”

She added: “Those children who are home educated or not enrolled at school will be invited to an alternative community venue.”

Last year, 98.5% of parents surveyed told LPT they felt they had received enough information to make an informed choice about their child having the vaccine,.

Around 99.2% said they found the consent form for the procedure easy to complete.

Flu is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are carrying the virus.

Immunising all primary school children in years one to six not only helps prevent the spread of the virus through the school but also protects other friends and family members, including younger siblings and elderly relatives who could be at higher risk from the virus.

The vaccine used, Fluenz Tetra, is a simple, painless nasal spray which protects children against many strains of the flu virus.

It was introduced in the UK in 2013-14 as a way of protecting healthy two and three year-olds. The success of that has led to national implementation for primary school children.

Previously children in the reception year were offered the vaccination through their GP but uptake was relatively low, so this year it is being offered in school.

Dr Tim Davies, public health consultant for NHS England said: “Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children.

“The flu vaccine is the best protection that is available against this unpredictable virus.

“Flu infects many people and each year can cause severe illness especially in the young and those with pre-existing medical conditions.”

The LPT has a website with child-friendly information which parents can share with their children at www.healthforkids.co.uk