The flu vaccine will be offered to all primary and secondary school children across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).
School children are among the first groups to be offered the free NHS flu vaccine this winter, with wider groups able to book vaccinations from October.
Sirona care & health’s School Aged Immunisation Team is visiting schools over the next few months to give the free vaccine to pupils from reception to year 11.
From October, the NHS will open bookings for other eligible groups including people aged 65 and over and people with long-term health conditions. The vaccine is also being offered to frontline health and care workers through their employer.
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.
Sirona care & health provides NHS and Local Authority funded adult and children’s community services. 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. Sirona offers an injectable vaccine for children who cannot have the spray due to the porcine gelatine content, or if the spray is unsuitable or not recommended due to other health conditions.
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 25th 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.
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.
More information about vaccinations available across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire is available at bnssghealthiertogether.org.uk/vaccination/
