Parents and carers across Greater Glasgow and Clyde are being urged to take up the offer of a free flu vaccination for their child this winter, with additional weekend drop-in clinics providing more opportunities for families to get protected.
Parents and carers of eligible children will either have received, or will shortly receive, information about their child’s flu vaccination, with younger children being invited to community clinics and school pupils receiving consent forms through their school.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is encouraging families to take action as soon as possible by attending vaccination appointments or returning consent forms promptly, helping ensure children are protected before flu becomes more widespread this winter.
If a clinic appointment is not suitable, it can be rearranged by calling the Flu Contact Centre on 0800 917 6115. Families are asked not to let an appointment pass unused, as another date and location may be available.
Additional weekend clinics are also being held across Greater Glasgow and Clyde, including drop-in opportunities at Pollok Health Centre on Saturday 10 October, Gorbals Health & Care Centre on Sunday 11 October and Parkhead Hub on Saturday 24 October.
For most eligible children, the flu vaccine is given as a quick nasal spray, or “wee scoosh”, into each nostril. It is painless, there is no need to sniff or inhale, and protection usually begins to develop within 10 to 14 days. An injectable alternative is available for children who cannot receive the nasal spray.
The vaccine is being offered to children aged from six months to two years with an eligible health condition, children aged two to five who are not yet at school, and children and young people attending primary and secondary school.
Pre-school children will receive an appointment to attend a community vaccination clinic, while most primary and secondary school pupils will be offered their vaccination through school.
Families are being asked to watch for either an appointment letter arriving by post or a consent form coming home in their child’s school bag, and return them as soon as possible to help ensure their child can be vaccinated at the earliest opportunity.
John O’Dowd, Interim Director of Public Health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Flu can be much more than a bad cold, and even children who are normally healthy can become seriously unwell.
“If your child has received an appointment, please make sure you use it. We know family life is busy and sometimes the date or location offered simply won’t work, but please don’t let the appointment pass. Call our contact centre and the team will help you rearrange it.
“For parents of school-age children, we’d encourage you to look out for consent forms and return them as quickly as possible so that children can receive their vaccination in school.
“We are also providing additional weekend opportunities, including a number of drop-in clinics, to make it easier for families to get their children protected.
“For most children, the vaccination is simply a quick wee scoosh up the nose. It only takes a few seconds and helps protect not only your child, but family members and others around them who may be more vulnerable to serious illness.”
Flu can cause complications including bronchitis, pneumonia, painful middle-ear infections, vomiting and diarrhoea. Vaccination makes children less likely to catch and spread the virus to babies, grandparents and people with long-term health conditions.
For a full list of local clinics, opening times and weekend opportunities, click here.
For further information about the child flu vaccine, visit NHS Inform.
