Children join the winter bug battle by becoming Flu Fighters

More and more pupils in Wolverhampton are becoming Flu Fighters and are ready for the annual battle against influenza this winter.

All pupils from Reception to Year 7 are eligible for the free flu vaccination this year, delivered via a quick and painless nasal spray. Vaccinations are scheduled to take place in schools throughout the autumn term, and

parents should return their child’s consent form as soon as possible to ensure they don't miss out.

Last week, nurses from Vaccination UK visited Lanesfield Primary School, St Theresa's Catholic Primary Academy, Wednesfield High Specialist Engineering Academy, Dunstall Hill Primary School, St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, Rakegate Primary School, Spring Vale Primary School, Bantock Primary School (Year 4) and Highfields School (Year 7).

This week, nurses will be going to Grove Primary School and SS Mary & John's Catholic Primary Academy on Monday 23 November, Newbridge Preparatory School, West Park Primary School and Westcroft School on 24 November, Claregate Primary School and St Michael's Church of England Aided Primary School on Wednesday 25 November, SS Peter & Paul Catholic Primary Academy and Woodthorne Primary School on Thursday 26 November and Fallings Park Primary School on Friday 27 November.

Full details of the Vaccination UK schedule, including which schools are due to be visited when, is available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/flufighters. Parents can also download a consent form online if they have mislaid theirs.

Any child who has missed their free vaccine at schools which have already been visited by nurses from Vaccination UK can get it at their GP or by attending one of a number of catch-up clinics. These are scheduled to take place at Park Village Education Centre on Saturdays 28 November and 19 December and Phoenix Health Centre on Saturday 5 December.

The award-winning Flu Fighters campaign is back for a third year to encourage children to get vaccinated, with free copies of this year's out of this world storybook, Flu Fighters in Close Encounters of the Germed Kind, being distributed to all primary-aged pupils. All pupils, including those in Year 7, will also receive consent forms and information about the nasal spray.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The vaccine is the best way to protect your children and other family members from becoming ill with the flu. I would urge parents to return their consent forms as soon as they receive them so that their children can have their free vaccine and become a Flu Fighter!"

To find out more about the vaccine, and to read and download free copies of the first two Flu Fighters books, Flu Fighters Versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty and Flu Fighters in The Battle of Planet Bogey, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/flufighters. A short video can be seen here https://youtu.be/lVcF21DhAN8.

The free nasal spray is also available to children aged two and three, and children aged 11 and over with some long-term health conditions, via GPs.

Adults people with long-term health conditions, people who were shielding from coronavirus and their families, the over 65s, carers and health and social care staff, people in long-stay care and pregnant women are also eligible for free flu jabs through their GP or pharmacist. People aged 50 to 64 will also get a free flu vaccination from next month as part of expanded flu vaccination programme this winter.