Major effort to keep flu out of schools

School pupils in Lanarkshire began receiving vaccinations last week in what is Scotland’s biggest ever flu immunisation programme.

Both primary and secondary school aged children at schools in the NHS Lanarkshire catchment area are set to have it as a painless nasal spray.

All school pupils will be offered the vaccine during the programme which runs until December, with secondary school pupils eligible for the first time.

In a bid to prevent people being hospitalised with flu and relieve pressure on the NHS, more people than ever – over four million – are being offered the free vaccine this year.

Among the groups being offered are those aged 50 and over; children aged two to five years who are not yet at school; children over six months of age who are deemed ‘at risk’ with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, heart and lung diseases, or autoimmune disorders; pregnant women; healthcare workers; and social care workers who deliver direct personal care to others.

Dr Mark Russell, associate medical director for North Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The roll-out of the flu programme this year has now started in Lanarkshire with the first pupils getting their flu vaccine in school.

“Any pupils not in school on the day flu vaccinations are being delivered will be offered a vaccination at the catch-up immunisation session in their school.

“If you’ve not returned your consent form and the deadline has now passed for your school, you can still return the consent forms and these pupils will be included in the catch-up session.”

Parents and carers of children aged two-to-five in Lanarkshire are also being urged by the health board to get their child immunised against flu.

Dr Russell added: “Children aged between two and fiveyears-old are eligible for the free flu vaccine and we have already started to invite parents and carers to attend a vaccination appointment.

“These letters are being sent in batches, starting with the youngest children. We would encourage you to attend the first appointment, however if you need to reschedule, details will be in the appointment letter.

“It’s quick, painless and just feels like a tickle in their nose. Please do turn up at your appointment to get your two to five-year-old immunised against flu to protect themselves and others this winter.”

Appointment letters from NHS Lanarkshire are now arriving encouraging uptake of the free flu nasal spray.

The spray is a quick and painless way of delivering the flu vaccine to children and won’t give the child flu. The letters will include details on where and when the vaccine will be given.

The flu virus changes every year, so you need to get the vaccine every year to stay protected.

While the flu vaccine cannot give you flu, it can stop you catching it.

The Covid-19 vaccine does not offer any protection from flu; you need to get the separate flu vaccine.

In a small number of cases, the nasal spray may not be suitable, and the vaccine can be given as an injection in the arm instead.

For more information about the flu vaccine, head online, call 0800 030 8013, or speak to a health or immunisation team, practice nurse, or GP.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “More people than ever are being offered the flu vaccine and we hope to see a large uptake amongst pupils as we aim to keep flu out of schools this year.

“Last year with the public health measures that were in place, there were lower levels of flu than there has been in previous years so our immunity levels to flu may be lower this year.

“The vaccines are safe and the best way to help protect you, and others, from flu this winter.”

For more information about the flu vaccine, go online, call 0800 030 8013, or speak to a health or immunisation team, practice nurse, or GP.