Parents urged to return consent forms for pupils' flu vaccine

Parents have been urged to complete and return consent forms after it was announced school pupils would be eligible for the flu vaccine.

Secondary school pupils will join all primary school children in Scotland in being eligible for this year’s flu vaccine, given as a painless nasal spray at school.

Consent packs containing a letter, leaflet and consent form will be sent home to parents and carers of primary school children, and consent forms must be returned within seven days.

Secondary school pupils will also receive a consent pack, with letter, leaflet and consent form for their parent and carers.

They will also receive a digital leaflet with information, which will be emailed from school, or they can request paper copies at school.

Consent forms must be returned within seven days and secondary pupils can self-consent, though they are encouraged to speak to a parent or carer first.

Pupils will be given the flu vaccine in schools between September and December, with some children given the vaccine as a jab if the nasal spray is not suitable.

Health secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Flu can be extremely serious and is very infectious. With Covid-19 still circulating in the community we can best protect the people of Scotland by encouraging everyone eligible to get vaccinated against flu too.

“That’s why this flu season, we are extending the vaccination programme and offering the flu vaccine to around four million people in Scotland, including all primary and secondary school children.

“This will help to protect those most at risk as well as ease pressure on our National Health Service and social care services.

“The vaccines are safe and the best way to help protect you, and others, from flu this winter.”