This year, all children from Reception to Year 9 are eligible for a vaccination, which is safe, effective and delivered via a nasal spray, not a needle. Vaccinations are given by nurses from Vaccination UK in school, starting with primary aged children first.
Parents and guardians are asked to give consent online at Flu Immunisation 2022/23 to ensure their child doesn't miss out. Consent forms should be completed at least 48 hours before vaccinations are due to be given in school.
Pupils who have missed their vaccination in school are able to get it at one of a series of catch-up clinics taking place around the Black Country. The next is this Saturday (26 November) at Aldridge Community Centre, Anchor Meadow, Aldridge from 9am to 1.30pm.
There are further catch-up clinics scheduled on Saturday 10 December at Low Hill Community Centre, Kempthorne Avenue, Low Hill from 9am to 1.30pm, and Wood Lane Community Centre, Wood Lane, West Bromwich, also from 9am to 1.30pm.
Appointments should be booked in advance by calling Vaccination UK on 01902 200077. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and, if consent hasn't already been given, it can be provided at the clinic.
Please note, the catch-up clinics are for pupils from schools which have already been visited by nurses from Vaccination UK this autumn – youngsters at schools which are still to be visited should wait to receive theirs in school as planned.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The flu vaccine is the best way to protect your children and other family members from becoming ill with this virus.
“If your child wasn't able to have their flu vaccination in school for any reason, for instance if they were off on the day that the Vaccination UK nurses visited, please take them along to one of the catch-up sessions so that they don't miss out.”
Children aged 2 and 3, and children with some long term health conditions, are also eligible for the nasal spray, with their vaccinations given at their local GP surgery.
The vaccination is available by injection if parents do not wish their child to have the nasal spray, or if children are unable to have it for medical reasons, for instance if they have a supressed immune system or severe egg allergy.
To find out more about the flu vaccine for children, read the answers to frequently asked questions and to download free copies of the four exciting Flu Fighters stories for children, Flu Fighters Versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty, Flu Fighters in The Battle of Planet Bogey, Flu Fighters in Close Encounters of the Germed Kind and Flu Fighters on a Vacc-tastic Voyage, please visit Flu Vaccines.
