Seasonal flu vaccinations underway at local schools

Influenza (flu) vaccinations are now underway at local primary schools within the Western Isles, with the first vaccinations currently being offered to pupils at Stornoway Primary, before the Vaccination team moves to Uig Primary School on Thursday and the Christian School on Friday.

The roll-out of the Influenza vaccination will continue to the remainder of schools across the Western Isles after schools have returned after the October break.

The flu vaccine is offered to all primary and secondary school pupils in Scotland. It is normally given at school between October and December. 

Flu is serious and can result in even healthy children and teenagers ending up in hospital. That’s why we’re offering the free flu vaccine to all secondary school children this year, as well as those in primary school.  Getting the free flu vaccine is the best way to protect your child and those around them, such as spreading it to friends and family who are at greater risk from flu like grandparents or people with health conditions. 

It's also worth noting that if a child or young person has had the COVID-19 vaccine, this won’t protect them from flu, they need to get the separate flu vaccine.  With immunity levels potentially lower this year, it’s even more important to get the free flu vaccine. 

NHS Scotland recommends your child receives their flu vaccine this year. This is for three reasons: 

• flu can be serious, even for healthy children. 
• to reduce the risk of your child spreading flu to friends and family. 
• to help prevent the flu virus putting extra strain on our NHS services this winter 

The flu vaccine is given as a nasal (nose) spray into each nostril. It’s quick and painless and there is no need to sniff or inhale the vaccine. It will just feel like a tickle in the nose. 

The nasal spray vaccine is a much more effective vaccine than the injected flu vaccine and is the preferred option. If you do not want your child to get the nasal spray vaccine for religious reasons, you may request that your child is given the vaccine by injection. Please discuss this with your immunisation nurse. 

• The same painless nasal flu spray will be given to all children and young people; secondary school pupils, you may remember this from primary! 
• All school pupils will be vaccinated for flu at school. A Consent pack with a leaflet, letter and form has previously been sent home to parents/carers of primary school children. 
• Secondary school pupils have received a consent pack with a leaflet, letter and consent form. They will also receive a digital leaflet with information, which will be emailed from school.  Consent forms must be returned and secondary pupils can self-consent, though they are encouraged to speak to a parent or carer first. 
• For more information visit nhsinform.scot/childflu or call 0800 030 8013.

Parents and carers are assured that all medicines (including vaccines) are tested for safety and efficacy before they are allowed to be used. Once they’re in use, the safety of vaccines continues to be monitored. The nasal spray flu vaccine has been used safely since 2014 and millions of doses of the vaccine have been given to children in the UK. 

Parents are reminded that Influenza consent forms that have yet to be returned, should be returned as soon as possible.