Parents are encouraged to get their school aged children vaccinated ahead of winter

28 October 2024

Public Health West Northamptonshire are encouraging parents and guardians to ensure their school aged children take up the free flu jab this year, ahead of the winter months.

Flu is a highly contagious infection which can be caught by anyone and can have serious health implications. As well as being an unpleasant illness, in some cases it can lead to more serious problems such as bronchitis, pneumonia, middle ear infection, sepsis, and can prove fatal.

When infected with flu, young people pose a risk of transmission to anyone they come in to contact with. Some people are more at risk of developing complications if they catch the virus, including the elderly, very young and people with pre-existing health conditions.

“In 2023-2024 52.2% of children from reception to year 6 and 63.5% from year 7 to year 11 in West Northamptonshire did not get vaccinated against flu, increasing the likeliness of them catching and spreading the flu infection. I urge parents to give consent and get their children vaccinated as soon as they are invited.”Dr Annapurna Sen, Consultant in Health Protection for WNC

By getting vaccinated children are protected from catching the virus and can help to protect others.

School aged children will be invited for their flu jab through one of the following routes:

• If your child attends school, they will be invited to attend a clinic held at their school
• Home schooled children and those who do not attend school will be invited to attend one of the school age immunisation service community clinics
• For parents or children who do not want their child to be vaccinated in either of the above settings, they can contact their GP directly and book a flu jab appointment

“It is important that as parents we look after our children and protect our loved ones, especially over the colder months when we know illnesses spread more easily.

I am appealing to all parents to ensure their children are vaccinated to help protect them from the virus and its complication, the flu vaccine is free to all children from reception to year 11.”Cllr Fiona Baker, cabinet member for Children, Families and Education

 For further information visit our Immunisation page.