Flu vaccines for children to halt spread of virus

Children are being offered the free vaccine in schools

Schoolchildren in the West Midlands are being encouraged to have free flu vaccines to avoid developing more serious illnesses.

Parents in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country will be asked to consent to the nasal spray being given at school to prevent the virus from spreading.

NHS bosses said flu, as well as being highly infectious, could cause serious illnesses in children, such as sepsis and pneumonia.

"The good news is that vaccination greatly reduces the risk and protects the vaccinated person and those around them," said Dr Fiona Rose, local GP and clinical director for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board.

Children from reception to year 11, including those who are home-schooled, are eligible for the vaccination again this year.

For children who require a pork gelatine-free alternative or those unable to have the nasal spray, an injectable version is available.

In the Black Country, the vaccines will be given by healthcare professionals from Vaccination UK, and by Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust elsewhere.

Catch-up clinics will also be available at locations across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull for those unable to have the vaccine in school.

Two and three-year-olds and those with long-term health issues will be able to get the vaccine at their GP practice or a participating pharmacy from 1 October.

'Safe and effective'

"Flu can be an unpleasant illness for children and sometimes causes serious complications," said Dr Rose.

"Children can catch and spread flu easily, so vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable, such as babies and older people."

Dr Anand Chitnis, GP and clinical director for North Solihull Primary Care Network, said the vaccine was "safe and effective".

"Many will not get flu as a result, and those that do will often have much milder symptoms," he said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.