Primary and secondary school pupils will start receiving their flu vaccine as of today, Monday, as Scotland’s biggest flu immunisation programme gets underway.
Over four million people will be offered the free flu vaccine this year with secondary school pupils eligible for the first time.
Pre-school and primary school pupils have been offered the free flu vaccine by the SNP Government since 2013.
Running until December all primary and secondary school pupils will be offered the vaccine which is given as a painless nasal spray.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“More people than ever are being offered the flu vaccine and we hope to see a large uptake amongst pupils as we aim to keep flu out of schools this year.
“If you haven’t returned the consent forms to your child’s school, please do so as soon as possible.
“Due to the impact of lockdown, immunity levels to flu may be lower this year so it is especially important that your child is vaccinated.”
The flu virus changes every year, so you need to get the vaccine every year to stay protected. The flu vaccine cannot give you flu, but it can stop you catching it. The COVID-19 vaccine does not offer any protection from flu, you need to get the separate flu vaccine.
In a small number of cases, the nasal spray may not be suitable, and the vaccine can be given as an injection in the arm instead.
For more information about the flu vaccine, visit www.nhsinfrom.scot/childflu, call 0800 030 8013, or speak to a health or immunisation team, practice nurse, or GP.
ENDS
