Flu warning for parents

Parents of two to five yearolds in Rutherglen and Cambuslang have been encouraged to join the fight against flu this winter.

GP practices across the NHS Lanarkshire area are providing the free nasal flu vaccine in a bid to ensure young children are protected.

Primary school children will receive their vaccination at school.

By reducing transmission of the virus, particularly to at-risk groups like the elderly, the child flu vaccination programme is expected to eventually prevent an estimated additional 200 deaths a year, and 1,100 hospitalisations from flu.

Public health minister Aileen Campbell said: “Even the healthiest of children can fall seriously ill from flu so it’s really important that they get their vaccine at their GP practice or at school.

“This will help prevent the spread of the virus to family, friends and others around them.”

To find out more about the childhood flu vaccine and its benefits, visit immunisationscotland. org.uk/childflu or call NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88.