Following a successful premiere of their theatrical production at Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group's Annual General Meeting last month, Gazebo's innovative adaptation of the 2 Flu Fighters stories, Flu Fighters Versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty and Flu Fighters in The Battle of Planet Bogey, will be visiting 10 local schools either side of half term.
The play sees our heroes – the Nurse, played by Fran Richards, Ani (April Hudson) and Daniel (Dominic Thompson) – recall their past encounters with Chilly, Achy and Snotty and recruit local children as Flu Fighters as they prepare for the impending flu invasion led by Lord Fever this winter.
Gazebo Theatre in Education’s Sarah Parton said: “Lord Fever is on Planet Bogey plotting his revenge against the children of Wolverhampton with an outbreak of the vicious flu virus.
“Our Flu Fighters show is an exciting interactive short performance, based on the books produced for children last year and this, which highlights the importance of protecting ourselves as flu season approaches."
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "This is a fabulous production which is both exciting and educational, and really gets over to its young audience the importance of having their free flu vaccination this winter.
“The children will really love it and we are delighted that Gazebo Theatre will be taking it into schools across the city over the coming weeks to spread the message far and wide."
The Flu Fighters campaign devised by the council, CCG and the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust helped bring about a 13% increase in the number of children who received their free nasal spray in 2018.
This year, all children from Reception to Year 6 at infant, junior and primary schools in Wolverhampton, and all children in special schools, are being offered the free flu vaccination at their school.
Free copies of 2019's tale, Flu Fighters in The Battle of Planet Bogey, are being distributed to all primary aged children through schools this autumn by Vaccination UK, along with parental consent forms and information about the flu vaccine. Parents are encouraged to return their consent forms as soon as possible.
The nasal spray vaccine is also available to children aged 2 and 3, and children aged 11 and over with some long term health conditions, through their GP.
To find out more about the free nasal spray, please visit Flu Vaccines.
As well as the vaccination for children, people with long term health conditions, the over 65s, carers and care staff, people in long stay residential care homes and pregnant women are also eligible for a free vaccine through their GP or pharmacist, while anyone else can get their vaccination from many local pharmacies for a small charge. For more information, please visit Flu Vaccines.
