Thousands of school children in Leicestershire offered flu vaccination

All school-aged children in Leicestershire are eligible to receive the flu vaccination, with vaccination sessions taking place in schools up until December 2023.

More than 160,000 children and young people are being offered a free flu vaccination in school by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s (LPT) School Aged Immunisation Service (SAIS).

All school aged children in Leicestershire, from those in reception at primary schools right up to year 11s in secondary schools, are eligible to receive the flu vaccination, with vaccination sessions taking place in schools up until December 2023.

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: "This year there are two vaccines on offer to protect children and young people against the latest strain of the virus:

"The flu vaccine nasal spray, which is given as a quick and painless spray up each nostril, and which offers the best protection against flu. The nasal flu vaccine contains traces of porcine (pork) gelatine.

"The injectable flu vaccine, which is available if the nasal flu vaccine isn’t suitable. This vaccine does not contain porcine (pork) gelatine."

Marie Butterworth, clinical lead for the school aged immunisation service at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “Flu is highly contagious and is a really nasty illness that can cause a high temperature, body aches, sore throats, a cough, runny nose and can make people feel very tired or exhausted. Children and young people who get it will usually need to take time off school. In some cases, flu can lead to more serious problems like ear infections and bronchitis.

“The flu vaccine is a great way to keep children protected against the virus. We offer a different vaccine each year to protect against the latest strains of flu. As well as helping to stop children getting ill from flu, the vaccine will also help to stop them from passing it on to family, loved ones or other vulnerable people. This is especially important as we head towards all the upcoming celebrations this winter including Diwali and Christmas.

“Flu spreads through coughs, sneezes and ingestion after touching a contaminated surface, so good hand hygiene, with frequent washing, is also very important throughout the winter period.”

Both vaccines are given by experienced members of the School Aged Immunisations Team.

LPT are encouraging parents and carers to fill out consent forms promptly when they are sent out from their child’s school to register whether they want their child to have the flu vaccine or whether they don’t want to consent.

Marie Butterworth said: “We really encourage parents and carers to take time to go through the information with their child together as a family, so they understand what’s on offer and can make an informed choice together. Even if parents don’t want their child to be vaccinated, we’d ask that they still complete the consent form so we can be sure of their consent decision.

“If your child was unable to have their flu vaccine when the service visited your child’s school, they still may be able to get it through a catch up clinic or a local pharmacy. Please contact the service for more information.”

Anyone needing help to fill out their consent form or who with further questions about the vaccines or process can contact the School Aged Immunisation Service on 0300 3000 007 or send an email to lpt.sais@nhs.net .