Flu vaccinations are now well underway in local schools – with pupils across the city having their free nasal spray and becoming Flu Fighters, and parents urged to return consent forms as soon as possible to ensure their child doesn't miss out.

All primary aged children, from Reception to Year 6, are eligible for the free vaccination, delivered via a quick and painless nasal spray.

The popular Flu Fighters campaign has returned this year to encourage local children to have their free vaccination, with free copies of this year's exciting tale, Flu Fighters in The Battle of Planet Bogey, along with information about the vaccine and consent forms, being distributed to pupils.

This week, vaccinations have taken place at Broadmeadow Special School, Tettenhall Wood School, Penn Fields School, Penn Hall School, Berrybrook Primary School, Westcroft School, Green Park School, Stowlawn Primary School, Northern House Primary PRU and Tettenhall College. Any child or young person at these schools who missed their vaccination can get it either at one of the special Saturday catch up clinics at Christ the King Church, Pendeford Avenue, Pendeford, WV6 9PW on 26 October from 9am to 1pm or the Phoenix Centre, Parkfield Road, WV4 6ED on 14 December from 9am to 1pm, or by contacting their GP.

Next week nurses from Vaccination UK are scheduled to visit:

  • Claregate Primary School and St Michael’s Church of England Primary School on Monday 14 October
  • Newbridge Preparatory School and St Jude’s Church of England Primary Academy on Tuesday 15 October
  • Castlecroft Primary School and Woodthorne Primary School on Wednesday 16 October
  • West Park Primary School and Wolverhampton Grammar School on Thursday 17 October
  • Christ Church CE Infant School and Christ Church CE Junior School on Friday 18 October. 

Full details of the Vaccination UK schedule, and which schools are due to be visited when, along with more information about the vaccine is available at Flu Vaccines. 

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Vaccinations in schools are now well underway and are scheduled to continue for the next couple of months.

“I would urge parents to please return their consent forms as soon as they receive them – if they haven't already – so that their children don't miss out on their free vaccine and are able to become Flu Fighters!"

All children from Reception to Year 6 at infant, junior and primary schools in Wolverhampton, and all children in special schools, are offered the nasal spray flu vaccination at their school. The vaccine is also available to children aged 2 and 3, and children aged 11 and over with some long term health conditions, through local GPs.

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 jab through their GP or pharmacist, while everyone else can get the vaccine from many local pharmacies for a small charge. For more information, please visit Flu Vaccines.