Ensure youngsters receive a flu jab
NIKI TENNANT
NHS Lanarkshire is reminding parents and carers to protect their children against influenza this winter by ensuring they receive their flu vaccination.
Despite initial manufacturing delays, the supply of the nasal spray Fluenz Tetra vaccine has improved considerably during the last few days.
Four batches of the vaccine have now passed their quality control tests and stock has been made available more quickly than expected.
Dr David Cromie, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: “The local impact on delivery of flu vaccines has been very limited to date with appointments for two to five-yearolds and planned school vaccine sessions being unaffected by the national supply issues.
“The additional supplies we have now received are welcome and will give us the ability to more freely supply Lanarkshire GP practices going forward.
“We continue to encourage all parents and carers to ensure their children are protected against influenza.
“Parents and carers of two to fiveyear-olds who are under school age will have received a leaflet and letter in October asking them to telephone the health board to arrange an appointment.”
He continued: “NHS Lanarkshire has had a great response already from parents and carers but we would further encourage any who have not done so already to contact the telephone number on their child’s vaccine invite letter (01698 855 634) to make an appointment to protect their child against influenza illness.
“Multiple school vaccination sessions are occurring on a daily basis, Monday to Friday.
“By December, all of the 52,000 P1 to P7 pupils will have been offered their flu vaccine at school.
“The small number of children who missed their school vaccine session are then entitled to get a flu vaccine from their GP.
“In recent years, four per cent of primary school children have received Fluenz vaccine through this route.”
Dr Cromie added: “General practice staff are also able to vaccinate other children, aged six months to under two years of age and between 11 and 17 years of age, who have a long-term health condition, as these children can be very susceptible to the effects of influenza.”
For more information on the flu vaccine, visit www.flufacts.scot or call NHS Inform 0800 22 44 88.