Primary schools flu immunisation programme
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust's School Aged Immunisations Service's annual flu vaccination programme begins in primary schools from October.
Flu is a highly contagious illness which spreads rapidly through coughs, sneezes and ingestion after touching a contaminated surface. The virus can survive on surfaces for many hours therefore, good hand hygiene, with frequent hand washing, is very important.
Immunising children against the flu is also very important. As well as providing protection for the child from this serious, potentially life threatening illness, it also helps to protect friends and family members, including younger siblings.
Children from reception right up to year 11s in secondary schools, and everyone in-between, can get the flu immunisation in school for free this term. The team will be working up into December to ensure every child who wants a vaccine gets one.
Parents and carers can choose from two different safe and effective flu vaccines, which will protect children and young people against the latest strain of the virus. They are:
- The flu nasal spray, which is given as a quick and painless squirt up each nostril. This vaccine offers the best protection against flu.
- The injectable flu vaccine, which is available if the nasal flu vaccine isn’t suitable for the child.
The injectable vaccine is a porcine-free alternative to the nasal spray vaccine which contains small traces of porcine (pork) gelatine.
Regardless of which option parents and carers choose, both vaccines will be given by friendly and experienced members of the School Aged Immunisations Team.
Information about your child’s vaccination date and how to complete an online consent form will be sent out directly by your child’s school. It is critical that you complete the online consent form promptly, as the vaccine cannot be given without this.
Completing the electronic consent form for your child’s flu vaccination
Click here to complete the electronic consent form
Take a look at our step-by-step video guide on completing the electronic consent form:
Full version
Short version
Click here to complete the electronic consent form for your child’s flu vaccination.
Please talk to your child about the vaccination to prepare them. Child friendly information is available on this website. We also recommend watching our Flu Heroes animated film. It explains what flu is and how the nasal flu vaccine works:
More information about the child flu vaccine is available by clicking here.
You can also find information leaflets in varying languages by clicking here.
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust also runs a confidential secure text messaging service for parents and carers called ChatHealth. The service operates Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, excluding bank holidays.
All texts will be responded to by a health visitor/school nurse within 24 hours. Outside of the service working hours, you’ll receive a message back to inform you that your text will be responded to once the line reopens.
Should you require urgent health advice in the meantime, please contact your GP, visit an NHS walk-in centre or call NHS 111. For emergencies, dial 999 or visit A&E.
Leicester City: text 07520 615 381
Leicestershire & Rutland: text 07520 615 382
