Please click on the link below to consent for your child to receive the flu vaccine in school. If your child does not attend school you will be invited to a community clinic to receive the flu vaccination.
Click here: Flu Consent Online Form
The Childhood Immunisation Service delivers routine immunisations in educational settings, and community clinics, please click here for information on the other vaccination programmes we offer.
The online consent form is easy to complete and will take around ten minutes. You will be asked to type your child’s school code. Click here to view the school codes.
Please note that this is case sensitive and please ensure you complete all three sections of the consent form.
School session and community clinics dates will be shared on Facebook and Twitter – see below.
Patient information
Protecting Your Child Against Flu
You can follow the team on Facebook, by clicking here and on Twitter, by clicking here.
Watch the videos below and hear all about the flu vaccine nasal spray from Maisie, Reggie, Jude, Noah and Oliver:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the nasal vaccine contain pork?
Yes, the nasal spray contains a highly processed form of gelatine (porcine gelatine), which is used in a range of essential medicines.
The gelatine helps to keep the vaccine viruses stable so that the vaccine provides the best protection against flu.
Read more about how and why porcine gelatine is used in vaccines (PDF, 76kb).
Can my child have the injected vaccine that doesn’t contain gelatine instead?
The nasal vaccine provides good protection against flu, particularly in young children. It also reduces the risk to, for example, a baby brother or sister who is too young to be vaccinated, as well as other family members (for example, grandparents) who may be more vulnerable to the complications of flu.
The injected vaccine is not being offered to healthy children as part of the children’s flu vaccination programme.
However, if your child is at high risk from flu due to one or more medical conditions or treatments and can’t have the nasal flu vaccine they should have the flu vaccine by injection.
Some faith groups accept the use of porcine gelatine in medical products – the decision is, of course, up to you.
Read more questions and answers about the nasal spray vaccine and porcine gelatine (PDF, 181kb).
A member of our family is currently having chemotherapy is it safe for them to have the vaccine?
Yes, unless the family member is in isolation due to having a severely weakened immune system it is safe for your child to be vaccinated with the nasal spray. As a precaution we advise to try to keep the child and family member separate for 2 weeks if possible purely as a precaution.
My child has an egg allergy can they have the flu vaccine?
Unless your child has had a confirmed anaphylaxis to egg it is safe for them to have the nasal flu vaccination. Please ensure you put details around your child’s allergies on the consent form so that the nurse vaccinating is aware. The nurse may call you to discuss this further before giving the vaccine.
My child has Asthma and has been invited to have their vaccination at the GPs do they need two?
If your child has a long term condition such as Asthma or Diabetes they will be routinely called by their GPs. It is your decision as to where they have their Flu vaccination, however if you do decide to have it at the GPs please ensure you do not consent for them to have it with us in school. If you have already consented and have now made an appointment with the GP it is your responsibility to contact us at least two weeks before the school session to ensure your child is not vaccinated twice.
My child is fit and healthy why do they need the flu vaccination?
Flu is unpleasant for anybody who gets it and children are as likely to get it as adults. It can lead to serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia. By vaccinating your child you help protect them, yourselves, family members and vulnerable members of your community. If your child develops flu you may have to take time of work to care for them or arrange alternative childcare. The flu vaccination has been given to millions of children worldwide and has an excellent safety record.
For more information about the Flu vaccination please visit: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspx
The patient information leaflets can be found by clicking here and here.
Key staff
Clinical Lead: Lois Alderson
Location
Thirsk Health Centre
Chapel Street
YO7 1LU