Parents of nursery school children in County Durham are being offered more ways to protect their little ones against flu this winter.
Free flu nasal spray vaccinations clinics will be available for all 2-3yearolds in 29 nursery schools across the county.
In addition, five Durham County Council family hubs in Newton Aycliffe, Durham, Stanley, Ferryhill and Willington will also hold walk-in-clinics, offering the flu vaccine nasal spray for all nursery school pupils registered with a County Durham GP practice.
The initiative run by Durham County Council, in partnership with NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), Durham Dales Health Federation and Intrahealth, aims to make it quicker and easier for families to get their children protected against flu this winter, without the need to book a GP appointment.
Dr Catherine Monaghan, medical director for the ICB said: "Flu can be very serious, for children and can spread very quickly”.
"Getting your child vaccinated against flu could stop them getting really poorly and not only does it protect them, getting vaccinated also helps stop flu from spreading to friends and family”.
"Flu vaccinations for nursery-aged children are usually only available at GP practices, so offering flu clinics in nurseries and family hubs provides a quick and easy alternative for parents, who may find it difficult to book a GP appointment during the workday, ensuring their children get protected against flu."
Every 2-3yearold (by 31 August 2024) is eligible for a free flu nasal spray which is given as a quick and painless spray up the nose. If this is not suitable a GP or practice nurse may be able to offer a flu vaccine injection as an alternative.
Millions of children in the UK have the flu vaccine every year. It's quick, safe, and effective and also helps prevent children passing on the virus to vulnerable family and friends.
Councillor Chris Hood, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for adult and health services, said: “Following previous successful pilot programmes we are delighted to be offering this programme again within our nursery settings for our residents in County Durham.
"We continue to monitor low vaccination uptake rates and we are ensuring we are delivering this programme in areas that will really benefit from additional ways for nursery school pupils to get their flu vaccine, alongside GP clinics. The programme started in September, and we are already seeing high numbers of parents bringing their children forward to be vaccinated.
"We would continue to encourage all parents of children eligible for the flu vaccination to ensure their child is protected this winter.”
Nursery school vaccinations in County Durham started on 19 September and will run to 25 October.
Walk-in flu clinics, for 2-3yearolds, with no appointment needed, will be available at:
- Newton Aycliffe Family Hub, Monday 7 October, 12.00-3.00pm
- Durham Family Hub, Thursday 10 October, 12.30-3.30pm
- Stanley Family Hub, Wednesday 16 October, 12.30-3.30pm
- Ferryhill Family Hub, Friday 18 October, 12.30-3.30pm
- Willington Family Hub, Tuesday 22 October, 12.30-3.30pm
The flu vaccination is also free for school children from reception to Year 11, from the school aged immunisation service, people aged 65 and over, anyone who is pregnant, people with certain high-risk health conditions, close contact of immunocompromised people and frontline health and social care workers.
In addition, COVID-19 vaccinations are available to adults aged 65 and over, residents in older adult care homes, anyone who is pregnant, those with underlying health conditions aged 6 months to 64 years and frontline health and social care workers.
Appointments can be booked now for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, beginning 3 October, on the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free if you can’t get online.