Free flu vaccine for kids

Parents of young children in Strathearn and beyond have been urged to take up the offer of a free flu vaccine.

In a bid to protect children from the virus this winter, GP practices across Scotland – including several locally – are providing the nasal immunisation against the disease free of charge for those aged between two and five years.

Crieff- based Roseanna Cunningham MSP, who represents the Perthshire South and Kinross- shire constituency at the Scottish Parliament, encouraged as many people as possible to take advantage of the initiative.

The SNP politician said: “No-one wants their child to get sick and the flu virus can strike anyone at any time so

it is a really good idea to get young children vaccinated. “It protects the children and helps prevent the spread of the virus to family, friends and others around them.

“It only takes a few minutes to get up to a year’s protection from flu.

“The vaccine doesn’t contain live virus, has an excellent safety record and is administered by nasal spray so it is painless too.”

Ms Cunningham continued: “All parents need to do is get in touch with their GP and the necessary arrangements can be made.”