School pupils across Scotland set to receive flu vaccine from Monday

School pupils are set to receive their flu vaccines from Monday as Scotland’s biggest flu immunisation programme gets underway.

Over four million people will be offered the free flu vaccine this year with secondary school pupils eligible for the first time.

Running until December, all primary and secondary school pupils will be offered the vaccine which is given as a painless nasal spray.

Flu can be serious.

ℹ All primary and secondary school pupils are eligible for this year's free flu vaccine.

Return consent forms as soon as you can.

Dr Nicola Steedman, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, explains more ⬇

Go to https://t.co/mQvl3gtDk4 or call 0800 030 8013. pic.twitter.com/dNsJw0zZe4
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) September 2, 2021

Public health minister Maree Todd urged anyone who has not yet completed a consent form to do so.

“More people than ever are being offered the flu vaccine and we hope to see a large uptake amongst pupils as we aim to keep flu out of schools this year,” she said.

“If you’ve not missed the deadline for returning consent forms to your school, I’d urge you to complete and return these now.

“Last year with the public health measures that were in place, there was lower levels of flu than there has been in previous years so our immunity levels to flu may be lower this year.

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