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Get children ready to fight flu this winter

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Parents of primary school children in NHS Ayrshire and Arran are being urged to act now to get their children ready to flight flu this winter.

Following last year’s bad flu season, health profession­als have highlighte­d the benefits of getting children vaccinated early ahead of winter hitting.

Flu vaccinatio­n consent forms will be arriving home in school bags over the next few days as the autumn term gets under way, which parents need to return if they wish their child to be vaccinated.

The safe and effective nasal vaccine is the best way to help protect children from flu. It only takes a few minutes and provides protection for around a year.

To date, more than 1.6 million doses of the nasal vaccine have been given to 2-11 year olds in Scotland, and the vaccine will be offered to 400,000 primary aged children this year as part of the Scottish childhood immunisati­on programme. Deputy chief medical officer for Scotland Dr Gregor Smith has urged parents to consider getting their child vaccinated, not only to protect them, but to help stop the spread of the virus to others.

‘Flu can be serious, and can result in even healthy children being hospitalis­ed.

‘The vaccine remains the best way to protect your child against flu and helps protect those around them who may be vulnerable to flu.’

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