Woodfield pupils join the battle against winter bugs as Flu Fighters

The rollout of the free flu vaccination for children is continuing in Wolverhampton's schools – with thousands of pupils now fully-fledged Flu Fighters!

Nurses from Vaccination UK are visiting more city schools this week, including Woodfield Primary in Penn where they administered hundreds of vaccinations via a painless nasal spray yesterday (Monday 7 November, 2022).

All children from Reception to Year 9 are eligible for the vaccination in school this year. Parents and guardians are asked to give consent online at https://midlands.schoolvaccination.uk/flu/2022/wolverhampton to ensure their child doesn't miss out. Consent forms should be completed at least 48 hours before vaccinations are due to be given.

Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, said: "I was pleased to be able to join pupils at Woodfield Primary School as they received their vaccinations yesterday.

"The flu vaccination programme is vital in helping to prevent the spread of flu in our community – and in particular to family and friends who might be more vulnerable, like older relatives or people with underlying health conditions.

"It also helps prevent children becoming unwell with flu and needing time off school; this is important as it would cause further disruption to their learning which has of course already been seriously impacted by the coronavirus pandemic over the last couple of years.

"The vaccinations are continuing in schools throughout Wolverhampton between now and the end of term so, if your school hasn't yet been visited, please make sure you complete a consent form for your child as soon as possible so that they are able to become a Flu Fighter this winter."

Children aged two and three, and children with some long-term health conditions, are also eligible for the nasal spray, with their vaccinations given at their local GP surgery.

The vaccination is available by injection if parents do not wish their child to have the nasal spray, or if children are unable to have it for medical reasons, for instance if they have a suppressed immune system or severe egg allergy.

To find out more about the flu vaccine for children, read the answers to frequently asked questions and to download or watch the four exciting Flu Fighters stories for children, Flu Fighters Versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty, Flu Fighters in The Battle of Planet Bogey, Flu Fighters in Close Encounters of the Germed Kind and Flu Fighters on a Vacc-tastic Voyage, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/flufighters.

Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, with pupils from Woodfield Primary School who are receiving their flu vaccinations.

Katie Smith, Immunisation Nurse at Vaccination UK, and Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, with a pupil receiving their flu vaccination, delivered via a painless nasal spray.