In the East of England, there are over a million school-age children eligible for the flu vaccine.
until Friday 31 October, any child in reception up to and including year 11 who wasn’t able to get the flu vaccine when the NHS teams visited their school, or who is home-schooled, will be able to get their free flu vaccine at one of the catch-up flu vaccination clinics taking place across the East of England.
- For children in reception class to Year 11 who attend mainstream schools you can book for flu vaccinations in a catch-up clinic close to you on the Vaccination UK website. This also has telephone numbers for the clinic nearest to you.
- For children who are home-schooled, attend SEND schools, or Pupil Referral Units, you can book for flu vaccinations in a clinic close to you by calling the East of England’s school-aged immunisation service, which is run across the region by Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust: Telephone 0300 555 5055.
The flu viruses change every year, so it’s important children get their flu vaccination each year to keep them protected and to help reduce it spreading to others. Most children will be able to have a quick and painless flu nasal spray vaccine, but an injection is available for those who can’t have a live vaccine or don’t want it due to cultural reasons.
Dr Eleanor Powers, head of public health commissioning for immunisations at NHS England – East of England, said: “Every year thousands of people get really sick and end up in hospital from flu. Cases of flu are on the rise in the East of England, so we are urging parents whose children missed out when their school was visited by the NHS teams to use half-term to get their child vaccinated ahead of winter at one of the local catch-up sessions. 2- and 3-year-olds can also get vaccinated against flu, and can access jabs at their GP, or some community pharmacies.
“The vaccine is still our best defence against flu, but the virus changes every year, which is why it is so important to get the new vaccine each year to stay protected. For most children this means getting a quick and painless spray vaccine rather than an injection.
“So, if your children have missed getting the flu vaccine at their school this year or are home-schooled, I urge you to please book them an appointment at one of the flu clinics this half-term to ensure they have the protection they need to fight this virus and to keep those around them safe. Whether it’s at your local GP practice, pharmacy, your child’s school or other community clinic, it’s now easier than ever to get you and your family protected this winter – so don’t wait, get your appointment booked in today.”
Latest data published by the UKHSA shows that influenza activity increased last week, particularly among children, with hospitalisations on the rise earlier than ever this year. 1,392,300 vaccines have been delivered in the East of England since the autumn/winter campaign kicked off but with transmission among school-aged children driving the start to the season, parents are today being called on to ensure they have signed and returned their child’s vaccine consent forms to their school, or to find their nearest catch-up community clinic this half-term if they have missed their school session, in a bid to prevent the virus spreading.
Parents of two and three-year-olds can also book online and, for the first time ever, drop-in to their local pharmacy to get their toddler vaccinated.
Given that flu circulation in children normally precedes that in adults, the NHS rolled out vaccinations for children and pregnant women at the start of September to kick start their protection and help winter-proof its services, while allowing all eligible adults to book their appointments in ahead of time.
In addition to vaccinating your children, it is good to know the signs of flu. That way, if you or someone around you gets sick you can take care of yourself, stay away from others to stop it spreading, and know when to get help if needed. Symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- a sudden high temperature (38°C or above)
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- dry cough
- sore throat
- headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
Symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
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