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North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

Flu vaccine reminder for parents

Public Health Scotland image reading 'It's as easy as a wee scoosh up the nose'.

Even healthy children can become seriously ill from flu. In some cases it can lead to complications including bronchitis, pneumonia, painful middle-ear infection, vomiting and diarrhoea. In the worst cases, flu can lead to disability and even death.

Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccination also helps protect others who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies and older people.

In Scotland, children aged 2 to 17 will usually be given the nasal spray flu vaccine. It’s quick and painless and there’s no need to sniff or inhale the vaccine. It’ll just feel like a tickle in their nose.

Children aged 2 to 17 years who cannot receive the nasal spray vaccine will receive the injectable flu vaccine.

More detailed information on the flu vaccine can be found on NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Childhood Immunisation page.

For children aged 2 to 5 years: If your child has not received an appointment to be offered a flu vaccine at their GP practice by Thursday 31 October, please contact the Child Health team on 01294 315385 arrange a drop-in appointment at a local community venue.

For primary and secondary school pupils: An envelope containing an information booklet about the vaccine, ingredients and any side effects, as well as a consent form and completion guide, will be given to all school-age children in Ayrshire and Arran from the week commencing Monday 19 August. These will be distributed by your child’s school. If your child does not receive a pack, please enquire at the school. Please complete all forms and return to the school as soon as possible (ideally by no later than Monday 2 September), even if you DO NOT consent to your child receiving the vaccine.

Vaccinations will take place in schools between Monday 16 September and Friday 6 December.

August 14 2024