Health and wellbeing
Parents and carers in Walsall urged to protect children with free flu vaccination
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Parents and carers across Walsall are being urged to get their children vaccinated against flu to help protect themselves, their families and the wider community during the winter months.
The flu vaccine is offered free to children aged 2 and 3 years, children aged 4 years who have not yet started school, school-aged children from Reception to Year 11, and children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions. Vaccination helps protect against flu, which can sometimes cause serious illness, and can reduce the spread of the virus to people who are more vulnerable to complications, including babies, older adults and pregnant women.
Eligible pre-school children and those with certain long-term health conditions can receive their flu vaccine through their GP practice or a participating pharmacy. Most school-aged children will be offered the vaccine through the school vaccination programme delivered by Vaccination UK. Parents and carers are encouraged to complete and return consent forms as soon as possible to ensure their child can receive the vaccine when it is offered in school.
Flu can be particularly unpleasant for children, causing fever, tiredness, headaches, aches and pains and a cough. While most children recover within a week or two, some can develop serious complications requiring hospital treatment. Vaccination remains the best way to reduce this risk.
The children's flu vaccine is usually given as a quick and painless nasal spray. A pork gelatine-free injectable alternative is available for children who cannot have the nasal spray or where it is not suitable.
Furthermore, the flu vaccine cannot cause flu. While some people may experience mild side effects such as a sore arm or feeling tired for a day or two, these are usually short-lived and are a sign that the body's immune system is responding to the vaccine.
“ Winter brings increased pressures on families and health services. It can also have a significant impact on children's health and wellbeing.
The flu vaccine is a simple and effective way to protect children from serious illness and reduce the spread of flu to friends, relatives and others in the community. Flu viruses change each year, which is why children are offered the vaccine annually, even if they have received it before. I would encourage all parents and carers to take up the offer by completing and returning the consent forms to their school or taking younger children to their local GP or pharmacy and help keep their children protected this winter. “
Parents and carers should look out for information from their child's school and complete consent forms as soon as possible. Children aged two and three years and children with eligible health conditions can get the vaccination through their GP practice. More information about the children's flu vaccine is available on the NHS website.
Children who missed their vaccination at school can visit a catch-up clinic in Walsall:
- Wednesday 28 October from 9am to 1pm at Anchor Meadow Health Centre (Aldridge Bypass, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8AJ).
- Saturday 21 November from 9am to 1pm at South & Central Locality Hub (Birchills St, Walsall WS2 8NF).
Appointments for the catch-up clinics can be booked by calling 01922 902035 or email Walsall@vaccinationuk.co.uk.
