Hundreds more pupils get flu vaccinations

Hundreds more children have become Flu Fighters and are ready for the annual battle against influenza this winter after getting their vaccination in school.

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, via a quick and painless nasal spray, have been taking place in schools throughout the autumn term. Last week, nurses from Vaccination UK visited St Mary's Catholic Primary Academy, St Paul's Church of England Aided Primary School, St Jude’s Primary School, Castlecroft Primary School, Long Knowle Primary School, Christ Church Infant School, Whitgreave Primary School, Lanesfield Primary School, Manor Primary School, East Park Academy, Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School and Stow Heath Primary School

This week, nurses will be at Eastfield Primary School and Holy Rosary Catholic Primary Academy today (Monday 7 December), Trinity Church of England Primary Academy tomorrow (Tuesday 8 December), Villiers Primary School on Wednesday 9 December, Field View Primary School and St Anthony's Catholic Primary School on Thursday 10 December and Bilston Church of England Primary School and Parkfields Primary School on Friday 11 December.

Full details of the Vaccination UK schedule, including which schools are due to be visited when, is available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/flufighters.

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 the final catch-up clinic, taking place at Park Village Education Centre on Saturday 19 December.

The award-winning Flu Fighters campaign returned 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, distributed to all primary-aged pupils. All pupils, including those in Year 7, also received 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: "Having the vaccine and becoming a Flu Fighter is the best way to protect your children and other family members from becoming ill with the flu."

To find out more about the vaccine, and to read and download free copies of all three Flu Fighters books, including Flu Fighters Versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty and Flu Fighters in The Battle of Planet Bogey, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/flufighters.

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 can now also get a free flu vaccination from as part of expanded flu vaccination programme this winter.