Free flu vaccinations in local schools will begin shortly, and parents and guardians are being reminded to return completed consent forms as soon as they receive them to ensure their child doesn't miss out.
The vaccine will be offered to all primary and secondary aged children in local schools throughout the autumn and into winter, and is given via a painless nasal spray.
Free copies of this year's exciting Flu Fighters storybook, Flu Fighters On A Vacc-tastic Voyage, will be given out to all primary school children and their families a few weeks before the vaccination is due in school, with some youngsters having already received theirs.
All primary and secondary pupils will also a receive parental consent form, and parents and guardians are asked to complete and return these as soon as possible.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Influenza is a particularly nasty virus which makes some people seriously ill. It can give you a high temperature, headache, muscle ache, cough, sore throat and runny or stuffy nose and make you tired, while children are also more likely to experience sickness and diarrhoea.
"Being vaccinated is the best way to protect your child against flu; the vaccine is safe and has been given to millions of children around the world.
"Youngsters needn't worry about any nasty needles, either, because the vaccine is delivered via a quick squirt up the nose, so please return your completed consent forms as soon as possible to ensure your child doesn't miss out.
"Remember, the vaccine will not only protect them but also other family members, some of whom may be more vulnerable to flu, such as older relatives or those with underlying health conditions.”
Sally Roberts, Chief Nurse for the Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "The importance of the vaccine in protecting our children from the effects of severe flu cannot be underestimated. It is also very valuable in preventing the spread of harmful germs within the community.
"I would urge all parents to ensure that their children are appropriately protected by consenting for them to have the vaccine, because it is better to be safe than sorry."
Primary and secondary aged children will be offered the nasal spray through their school. The nasal spray vaccine is also available to children aged 2 and 3, and children with some long term health conditions, through their GP.
To find out more about the vaccine, read the answers to frequently asked questions and more, visit Flu Vaccines.
