Flu Vaccination for Children in Years 1, 2 and 3

From October 2016 all children in years 1, 2 and 3 will be offered the nasal spray flu vaccination in school. Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust will administer the vaccination in Brighton & Hove and West Sussex.

Your child will be offered a flu vaccine that is given as a simple spray up the nose. It is painless, very quick, and serious side effects are uncommon. This vaccination programme is designed to protect your child against flu which can be an unpleasant illness and, although rarely, could cause serious complications. By having the flu vaccination, children are also less likely to pass the virus on to friends and family. This will help to protect those who are at greater risk from flu including infants, older people and those with an underlying health condition.

Please complete the enclosed consent form in capitals putting your child’s name and date of birth on both sides of the form (one for each child, please).  Return the form to the school within 7 days of receipt of this letter.  If your child’s form is returned less than a week prior to the vaccination session we may not be able to vaccinate your child on the day, they will be given information on available Catch Up Clinics.   If you wish your child’s consent form to be confidential please return to school in an envelope.

If you do not want your child to have this vaccination, we would be grateful if you could return the consent form to school giving your reasons for declining.  This will help us in the development of the flu vaccination programme in the future.