School flu vaccination programme resumes following supply delay

The primary school flu vaccination programme has resumed following the temporary delay of nasal spray vaccine from the manufacturer.

Primary school clinics will be rescheduled as soon as possible and children in high risk groups are asked to visit their GP if their school session has been delayed, to ensure that they are protected early. GPs have now been advised to call in all eligible children for vaccination by early December.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at Public Health England (PHE), said: "The flu vaccine is the best defence we have against what can be a serious and fatal illness, and flu season is just around the corner."

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England (NHSE) national medical director, said: "Flu can be extremely serious and even kill in some cases and getting vaccinated is the best protection against it.

"NHS services across England continue to work hard to prepare for the winter season, including staff getting their free flu jab, and now we’re appealing to the public to ‘Help Us, Help You’ by ensuring that they and their eligible children or relatives get vaccinated, now."

The adult flu programme has continued as normal.

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