Nurseries urged to publicise flu vaccine
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
The chief medical officer has written a letter to early years practitioners seeking their help in raising awareness of the childhood flu immunisation programme.
In her letter, Professor Dame Sally Davies notified staff that all children aged two and three can get the flu vaccine at their general practice this winter, while children in Reception and Years 1 to 5 will be offered the influenza vaccine at school.
The letter asks practitioners to help publicise the vaccination programme, which for most children involves a nasal spray rather than an injection.
In the letter, the chief medical officer wrote, ‘Not only does the influenza vaccine help to protect the children themselves, but by reducing the spread of influenza it will also help protect family members and others in the community. The influenza vaccine also promotes a healthy environment in nurseries and preschools by reducing the risk of spread of influenza to others, including staff.’
Public Health England has produced information for early years practitioners as well as materials to give to parents that can be downloaded or ordered for free here
The Chief Medical Officer invited practitioners who require any further information about the immunisation programme to email immunisation@phe.gov.uk
- The full letter is available to read here
