Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group is encouraging parents in Oxfordshire whose children have not yet been vaccinated to do so before the flu season begins.

Children in school year 4, along with children aged four and over in school years reception, 1, 2 and 3, can get their free flu vaccination, in school in the form of a nasal spray.  The nasal spray is quick, effective and a painless alternative to needles.

Dr Edward Capo-Bianco, Clinical Locality Director at Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group said:  “Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children, with potentially serious complications, including bronchitis and pneumonia. For children with long-term health conditions such as asthma and diabetes, it is especially important that they are vaccinated because they are more likely to get complications from flu.

Dr Capo-Bianco continues:  “Vaccinating children also helps to protect other members of the community who are vulnerable to flu – for example, older people, babies, and pregnant women.  The children’s flu vaccine is offered as a yearly nasal spray squirted up each nostril of young children. It is quick, painless, and works even better in children than the injected flu vaccine.”

5 Reasons to get your child vaccinated from flu:

1.  The nasal spray helps protect against flu and has been given to millions of children worldwide and has an excellent safety record.

2.  The nasal spray is painless and easy to have.

3.  Flu can be really serious, especially for children with medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

4.  If your child gets flu you may have to take time off to look after them.

5.  Protecting your child can stop flu spreading to other children and the family, especially babies and grandparents, who may be at higher risk from flu.