Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge primary school children are well on their way to helping fight flu as hundreds of children across Somerset have now been vaccinated.
For the first time, the flu vaccination is being offered to all school children in primary schools, from reception to year 6, and all children in special schools.
For most people, flu is horrible but not life threatening. However, for those in certain ‘at risk’ groups, flu can be fatal. Many people can carry the flu virus without showing symptoms and could unknowingly pass it on to the most vulnerable. Getting the flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community.
Somerset Partnership’s school-aged immunisation nursing team (SAINT) is a dedicated team of qualified nurses and support staff who have been visiting primary schools across the County over recent weeks to give children the flu vaccination via a nasal spray.
Suzy Mason, Team Leader of the SAINT team from Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Flu can be really unpleasant for anyone at any age, but particularly for children. Some develop complications from flu such as bronchitis, pneumonia or a painful ear infection so it’s really important they get their vaccine to help protect themselves, their family and friends and to help stop any spread into the wider community.”
“Being able to administer the vaccine in a nasal spray means no needle; it’s quick and painless which makes it perfect to give to children. There are cases where children shouldn’t have the vaccine but any parents who are concerned can check with us or with their GP surgery.”
Flu vaccination days at schools in Burnham-On-Sea area:
- Berrow 02/12/2019
- Brent Knoll 12/12/2019
- Burnham Infants 16/10/2019
- Churchfield 25/11/2019
- East Huntspill 17/12/2019
- Lympsham 11/11/2019
- Mark First 17/12/2019
- Sedgemoor Manor School 10/10/2019
- St Andrews Junior School – Burnham 12/12/2019
- St Joseph’s Burham 09/10/2019
- West Huntspill 15/10/2019
Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health at Somerset County Council, said: “Research shows that children are flu ‘super-spreaders’. By vaccinating young children, we know we can reduce the amount of flu going around.”
“This may be very important if your child is in regular contact with older relatives or others with an underlying health condition, the frail or elderly.”
“Thank you to all those parents who consented for their child to be vaccinated this year as part of our schools programme helping us reduce the spread of flu and reducing the pressure on our health and social care services this winter. If you did not complete a consent form, but would like your child vaccinated against flu, get in touch with the SAINT team on 0300 323 0032.”
People ‘at risk’ from flu and eligible for a free vaccination on the NHS include all children aged 2 to 10 on 31 Aug 2019, those in a clinical risk group, over 65s, pregnant women, those in long-stay residential care homes and those in contact of immunocompromised people.
If you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill from flu, you can also claim a free flu vaccination.
Parents/carers can view the dates when the SAINT team will visit their local Somerset primary school at http://www.sompar.nhs.uk/what-we-do/children-and-young-people/young-person/immunisation/immunisations/flu-dates-20192020/
