Protection against flu for pre and primary school kids

Children aged two to 11 will be offered a flu vaccination this autumn as part of a new immunisation programme.

The Scottish Government scheme was piloted last year, and focuses on children — who are two to three times more likely to have the flu than adults — in a bid to reduce the risk of spreading the bug.

For children with medical conditions, contracting the illness can lead to more serious problems including bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, vomiting and diarrhoea.

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Dr Syed Ahmed, immunisation co-ordinator for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Flu can be very unpleasant for children.

“The vaccination programme being rolled out will help protect children and stop the spread of flu viruses. It is a simple, pain free process which involves a small amount of the vaccine being sprayed into each nostril, which is then quickly absorbed.

“It really is the best way to protect children from the flu.”

In the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, 36,462 children aged two to five and 92,022 kids of primary school age are eligible for the nasal spray vaccine.

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Primary pupils will receive a letter and consent form at school, advising parents of the immunisation programme and a date for when the child will be given the vaccine at each school. Parents with children not yet at school are asked to contact their GP.

To find out more, visit immunisationscotland.org.uk/childflu or call NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88.