School pupils follow council’s lead in getting the flu vaccination

Youngsters at Elton Primary School have become the latest to receive their flu vaccinations to protect them and their family members against a potentially serious illness.

Intrahealth nurses Anne Brown and Linda Patel were at the school to administer more than 200 nasal spray vaccines to the children.

Bury aims to vaccinate 63% of reception and primary school children. Flu can be a serious illness and the virus is often spread from children to vulnerable family members such as babies, grandparents or pregnant ladies. It has been shown that hospital admissions are reduced if there is a successful schools flu programme.

Parents are urged to get their primary school age children vaccinated and return consent forms to schools. Anyone who misses the school clinic can get the vaccine at catch-up clinics at the end of November, which will be publicised.

Council leader Rishi Shori and cabinet member for health Andrea Simpson visited Elton to see the schools flu vaccination programme in action.

Cllr Shori had had his flu jab the day before their visit, and Cllr Simpson, who works in the health care service, has also had her flu jab to protect herself and her patients.

Cllr Simpson said: “I urge parents of children offered the free nasal spray vaccination to ensure they take up the offer - as we’ve seen at Elton, it’s painless, quick and very effective.”

Cllr Shori added: “Free flu vaccination is available to many including over-65s, under-65s in ‘at risk’ groups, pregnant women, and 2 and 3 year olds. You can get the vaccine at your GP surgery and most pharmacies also offer the free service to eligible adults. Do it now before the flu season really kicks off.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 9 November 2017.

Picture: Elton Primary pupils Sam Pars (aged 5), Ben Ashworth (7) and Emily Pars (5) get their flu vaccination from Intrahealth nurses Anne Brown and Linda Patel, under the watchful eye of councillors Rishi Shori and Andrea Simpson.

Find us on: Facebook.com/burycouncil, Flickr.com/buryphotos. @burycouncil and bury.gov.uk