A ‘wee scoosh’ can make a big difference this flu season

NHS Western Isles is encouraging parents and carers to make sure their child is protected against flu this winter, with an easy ‘wee scoosh’ up the nose.

Flu is more than just a bad cold and can make even healthy children seriously ill. In some cases, flu can lead to complications. These can include bronchitis, pneumonia, painful middle-ear infection, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In the worst cases, flu can lead to disability and can be life threatening.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect your child against flu. It also helps reduce the spread of the virus to others who may be more vulnerable, including babies, grandparents and people living with long-term health conditions.

The vaccine will be offered to all school-aged pupils, all children aged 2-5 not yet in school and children aged 6 months to 2 years old with a condition that puts them at increased risk of flu.

For most children, the vaccine is given as a quick and painless nasal spray. It cannot give the child flu, but it starts to provide protection against it within 10-14 days.

Consent forms and further information are being sent home to parents and carers of school children. These should be returned to your child's school as soon as possible. Secondary pupils can self-consent but are encouraged to speak to a parent or carer first. All primary and secondary school pupils with consent to be given the flu vaccine nasal spray will receive this at school.