Even the healthiest of children can become seriously ill as a result of flu. So from this autumn, children in Scotland aged 2-11 are being offered the flu vaccine to help protect them and those around them from being hit by the virus.
This is the second year of the childhood immunisation programme, which is being offered to approximately 550,000 children across Scotland. The vaccine provides the best defence against flu and is a simple nasal spray that’s quick to administer, easily absorbed and pain free.
Children aged between 2 and 5 and not yet in school will be offered the vaccine at their GP practice from October, and parents who want their child to be immunised are being encouraged to make an appointment.
Primary school children will be offered the vaccine at school, and consent letters will be sent to parents in their child’s school bag at the start of the autumn school term.
Once fully implemented it’s estimated that the extension of the programme will save an additional 200 lives per year, and reduce the number of people being admitted to hospital for flu by over 1,100 per year.
More on
Scotland's Flu Immunisation or call NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88.