The flu vaccine will be offered to all primary and secondary school children across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).
Our School Aged Immunisation Team is visiting schools over the next few months to give the free vaccine to pupils from reception to year 11.
Flu can be a very unpleasant illness, causing fever, a stuffy nose, dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints and extreme tiredness. It can last several days, and some people develop complications and need to go to hospital for treatment.
The vaccine helps to protect children, their families, friends and the wider community against flu and serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Karen Evans, Head of School Aged Immunisations and Specialist Services, said: “The vaccine is free and helps to protect children and their families from flu this winter.
“Our Immunisation Team will be carrying out vaccinations in schools across BNSSG five days a week over the next few months. Having the vaccine is the best way to protect your child against flu and help reduce the spread of flu in the community.”
The vaccine is normally given as a quick nasal spray. For those who cannot receive this, an injection can be offered.
Our team delivers the vaccination in schools to make it more accessible to children and their families. Pupils in designated special schools can also receive the vaccination until their 18th birthday.
Children who are educated at home will be sent an email or letter by their local authority to enable them to attend one of our community clinics from October onwards.
Anyone who misses a session at school can also be vaccinated in our community clinics by booking an appointment.
Over the next couple of weeks, schools will email consent forms to parents and carers who are encouraged to fill them in as soon as possible to ensure their children are protected against the virus this winter. Only those young people with a valid consent will be vaccinated.
We also offer the injectable flu vaccine to children who are clinically severely immunocompromised and unable to have the nasal spray, or to children who cannot have the spray due to its porcine gelatine content.
To book an appointment for a community clinic, contact the office via email on sirona.sch-imms@nhs.net or by calling 0300 124 5515. You can find out more about the immunisation team and the flu vaccine on our website.
