Flu vaccine rolled out in schools

Pupils in Lanarkshire have started receiving vaccinations in Scotland’s biggest ever flu immunisation programme.

Both primary and secondary school aged children across the NHS Lanarkshire catchment area are set to be given it as a painless nasal spray.

All 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.

Dr Mark Russell explained: “The roll-out of the flu programme 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 have 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 Maree Todd added:“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 the flu may be lower this year.

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