All secondary school pupils in England will be offered a free flu vaccine for the 2023/24 season, the government has confirmed. Over 3 million pupils in secondary school years 7 to 11 will be offered the vaccine as a nasal spray through their school’s vaccination programme.
In addition to directly protecting kids receiving the vaccine, the expansion indirectly protects more vulnerable groups by reducing the spread among the wider population, reducing the number of people falling ill with flu and easing the burden on the NHS. Children's attendance levels at school tend to drop during the winter due to illness, so taking the flu vaccine will also protect their education by reducing the number of school days missed.
Parents / Carers should have received information via Synergy, with details of how to sign the consent form. It does not take too long to complete, with just basic information about the student and their health. Remember to copy the school code, as they will ask for this on the form. If you do not wish to consent to the flu vaccine, the service asks you still complete the form stating the answer no and reasons why. If you did not receive the information via Synergy (it was a Broadcast to Parents/Carers from Mr Morton dated 25.09.2023), a copy of the message can be seen below.
More information about the specific vaccine on offer can be found below -
Synergy Broadcast from Mr Morton
Dear Parent/Guardian,
YOUR CHILD’S ANNUAL FLU VACCINATION 2023 ( NASAL SPRAY)
This vaccination is recommended to help protect your child against flu. Flu can be an unpleasant illness and can cause serious complications. Vaccinating your child will also help protect more vulnerable family and friends by preventing the spread of Flu. There may be a rebound in Flu levels this coming winter following low levels in the past 2 years. The vaccination is free and is a quick, simple, painless spray up the nose.
Please complete the online consent form.
If you DO NOT wish your child to be vaccinated for whatever reason please complete the form stating NO and the reasons.
Online Consent Form:
Use the link below to access the online consent form:
www.bthimmunisations.co.uk/Forms/Flu
Enter the unique school code with BP in capital letters. The code for your school is: BP119744
Please inform the School Vaccination Team (not School) of the following -
- If your child has steroid tablets prescribed two weeks prior to vaccination
- If in the few days prior to vaccination your child has been wheezy
- If after consenting you take your child to your GP surgery to receive their vaccination
It is your responsibility to contact the school vaccination team to ensure they do not receive the immunisation again. Our contact details are:
Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde: 01253 951984
Lancaster & Morecambe: 01524 406672
A leaflet explaining the vaccination programme can be accessed by clicking the following link: Flu vaccination for children
Yours faithfully,
School Age Vaccination Team
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