With young people across Ayrshire now back at school, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is urging parents and carers to ensure their child is protected against flu this winter.

The vaccine will be offered to all school aged pupils, all children aged two to five and not yet in school, and children aged six months to two years old with a condition that puts them at increased risk of flu.

Home educated children and those of school age but not attending mainstream education are also eligible.

The flu vaccine is offered as a painless nasal spray to almost all children. It cannot give the child flu but starts to provide protection against flu within 10-14 days.

The nasal spray offers the best possible protection for children and young people and can also stop flu spreading to family, friends and others, especially those most at risk of becoming seriously ill with flu.

Children aged two to five are being offered vaccination from the start of the programme to ensure they receive the earliest protection and prevent the virus spreading.

Appointment letters for children six months to two years at risk and those aged two to five not yet in school will start arriving at homes from this week with details of where and when the vaccine will be given.

Parents and carers should call the number on their child’s letter if they need to reschedule or if their child has missed their appointment for whatever reason.

For school-aged children, consent forms and further information will be sent home to parents and carers.

Secondary pupils can self-consent but are encouraged to speak to a parent or carer first.

All primary and secondary school pupils with consent to be given the flu vaccine nasal spray will receive this at school with vaccine teams visiting between September through to December 2024.