It’s getting close to flu season again, and parents are being urged to prepare their children for the fight against flu as the latest national childhood flu vaccination programme gets underway.
Health professionals warn there is the potential for this year’s flu season to be serious, children aged two-five years can get vaccinated at their GP practice from October.
Dr Gregor Smith, Scottish Government Deputy Chief Medical Officer said: “This year, we want to be very clear about the benefits of the flu vaccine, in a bid to ensure more children than ever are protected.
“Quite simply the vaccine provides the best defence against flu. It’s been given to 850,000 children in Scotland since the childhood immunisation programme began and will help protect your child for around a year.
“This year’s flu season has the potential to be serious, so we’re advising parents to get their child vaccinated before winter sets in. Getting the vaccine only takes a few minutes, and takes around ten days to work.
“If you child is aged two to five, and you want to them the best chance of fighting flu this winter, I’d encourage you to make an appointment with your GP practice.”
Every year in Scotland, children are hospitalised for treatment of flu, or its complications. The vaccine helps protect children against flu, and is given as a painless nasal spray. It only takes a few minutes, and provides protection for around a year.
Visit
immunisationscotland.org.uk/childflu to find out more, or call NHS Inform on
0800 22 44 88.