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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Children from reception right up to year 11s in secondary schools, and everyone in-between, can get the flu immunisation in school. The team will be working up into December to ensure every child who wants a vaccine gets one.<\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
\tThe flu nasal spray, which is given as a quick and painless squirt up each nostril. This vaccine offers the best protection against flu.
\n \tThe injectable flu vaccine, which is available if the nasal flu vaccine isn\u2019t suitable for the child.<\/p>\n
The injectable vaccine is a porcine-free alternative to the nasal spray vaccine which contains small traces of porcine (pork) gelatine.<\/p>\n
Most children eligible for a flu vaccine can have the nasal spray, watch this video showing how quick and easy the nasal flu vaccine is:<\/p>\n
Enter a valid YouTube url.<\/pre>\nThis video was not produced by Health for Kids and may contain adverts.<\/p>\n
Regardless of which option parents and carers choose, both vaccines will be given by friendly and experienced members of the School Aged Immunisations Team.<\/p>\n
Information about your child\u2019s vaccination date and how to complete a consent form will be sent out directly by your child\u2019s school.\u00a0 It is critical that you complete the online consent form promptly, as the vaccine cannot be given without this.<\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
Enter a valid YouTube url.<\/pre>\nThis video was not produced by Health for Kids and may contain adverts.<\/p>\n
More information about the child flu vaccine is available by clicking here.<\/p>\n
You can also find information leaflets in varying languages by clicking here.<\/p>\n
You can also find videos about flu in a number of different languages on the LPT YouTube channel by clicking here.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
All texts will be responded to by a health visitor\/school nurse within 24 hours. Outside of the service working hours, you\u2019ll receive a message back to inform you that your text will be responded to once the line reopens.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Leicester City: text 07520 615 381<\/p>\n
Leicestershire & Rutland: text 07520 615 382<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"