PARENTS in Solihull are being encouraged to take up the free NHS flu vaccination for their children.
A free NHS flu vaccine is available every year to help protect them from the risk of flu and its complications.
The flu vaccine for children is a quick and painless nasal spray and is offered to those aged between two and 11 years old.
Children will be offered the flu vaccine injection if the nasal spray vaccine is not suitable for them.
It is administered either at their GP surgery or at school for those in reception to Year 11.
Home-schooled children aged 4 to 16 will be invited to have their vaccine at a community clinic.
Flu is very different to the common cold and can even be life threatening for people who are in an at-risk group.
Dr Richard Mendelsohn, chief medical officer for NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It’s more important than ever that as many people as possible, including children and young people, get their flu vaccinations.
“Covid-19 has highlighted just how vital it is for us all to do what we can to protect ourselves and each other, and it couldn’t be easier to get the vaccine at your GP or a local pharmacy.
“This year, our immunity to flu may be lower than usual. This is because lockdowns, social distancing and other measures that were in place to protect people from Covid-19 meant there were lower levels of flu circulating last year, so we didn’t build up immunity within the population.”
Parents can visit the NHS website and Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust who is delivering the flu programme locally in schools for more information.
