Flu vaccine offered to Lanarkshire youngsters

The programme will help protect children this winter, and reduce the risk of flu being spread to others.

Children aged 2 to 11 are being offered a nasal spray vaccine to help stop the spread of flu.

In Lanarkshire 16,937 children aged 2-5 and 45,964 primary school children are eligible for the vaccination.

Parents of those aged 2-5 and not yet at school should make an appointment with their GP practice; primary children will be vaccinated at school.

The vaccine will mostly be given as a nasal spray, following last year’s pilot when it administered to around 130,000 children in Scotland.

Flu symptoms include fever, chills, aching muscles, headaches and extreme tiredness. Complications arising from flu can include bronchitis, pneumonia, painful middle ear infection, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Dr David Cromie, Immunisation Co-ordinator for Lanarkshire, said: “Flu can be very unpleasant for children, and in some cases it can develop into more serious health complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia and middle ear infection.

“The vaccination programme is the best way to protect children from flu.”

Find out more at immunisationscotland.org.uk/childflu or call NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.