Flu vaccine rolls out

School pupils in Lanarkshire began receiving vaccinations this 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 theprogrammewhichruns 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,morepeoplethan ever – over four million

– are being offered the free vaccine this year.

Amongthegroupsbeing 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; pregnantwomen; healthcare workers; and social care workers who deliver direct personal care to others.

Dr Mark Russell 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.”

Public Health Minister

MareeTodd said:“More people than ever are being offered the flu vaccine and we hope to see a large uptake amongst pupils.

“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.”

The flu virus changes every year, so you need to get the vaccine every year to stay protected. The flu vaccine cannot give you flu, but can stop you catching it.

The Covi d-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 .