NHS Scotland is recommending that all eligible children receive the flu vaccine this year to help protect them from the virus. For all those over the age of two the vaccine is usually given as a nasal spray in each nostril.
The vaccine is being offered to all children six months and over with an eligible health condition, those aged two to five who are not yet at school (children must be aged two or above on the 1st of September 2022 to be eligible), all primary school children (P1 to P7) and all secondary school pupils (S1 to S6).
Those aged two to five (not yet in school) and those six months and above with an eligible health condition will be offered the vaccine in community clinics, while all primary and secondary pupils, including those with an eligible health condition, will be given the vaccine in school, with a consent letter sent out beforehand.
The eligible health conditions include:
- Asthma
- Heart, Kidney, Liver or Neurological disease
- Diabetes
- A weakened immune system
- A spleen that does not work fully
The vaccine reduce the risk of someone getting or spreading the virus.
If a young person has left school they are not eligible to receive the vaccine at school. 16- and 17-year-olds with an eligible health condition who have left school can phone 0800 030 8013 or visit https://vacs.nhs.scot/csp to book an appointment.
You can find more information on the child flu vaccine by visiting https://www.nhsinform.scot/childflu