Vaccinating Kids Against Flu

As the schools return for another year, parents are being urged to return flu vaccine consent forms as soon as they can.

The letters will be coming home in pupils' schoolbags this week. Every child in the Kingdom is being offered the vaccine which is administered as a nasal spray.

71% were vaccinated in 2014, doctors hope that number will increase this year. No child can be vaccinated without parental consent.

Charles Saunders, Immunisation Co-ordinator for Fife, said: "It is vital for parents to return the flu consent forms within seven days to ensure that their child gets vaccinated against flu. This form has will be sent home in their child’s school bag, alongside detailed information about the flu vaccine.
 
"The vaccination programme will be rolled out in schools across Fife this autumn and only children who have been given consent to be vaccinated will receive the vaccination. 
 
"Flu can lead to serious health problems in children, such as bronchitis, pneumonia and middle ear infections. The flu vaccine is the best way to safeguard children and I urge parents to ensure that their child is covered from flu this winter."

Around 400,000 primary school pupils across Scotland will be offered the free flu vaccination this autumn. The Scottish childhood flu immunisation programme, which involves the vaccine being offered to 2-11 year olds, is expected to eventually prevent an estimated additional 200 deaths per year and 1,100 hospitalisations.