Vaccinations

The school-aged immunisation team visit all schools in Buckinghamshire and hold community clinics for children up to year 11. Flu can be a very unpleasant illness causing:

• fever
• stuffy nose
• dry cough
• sore throat
• aching muscles and joints
• extreme tiredness.

This can often last a few days and be accompanied by a very high fever. Some children may even require hospital admission for the management and treatment of severe symptoms.

The flu vaccine used is Fluenz Tetra, (also called Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine or LAIV). It is administered to children as a nasal spray. It is quick, painless and provides the best protection against the flu virus.

We would encourage all parents to consent to their children receiving the intra-nasal vaccine as it is the most effective. You can use the vaccination consent form to consent to your child’s vaccination.

For those who prefer to receive a porcine-free vaccine, or if your child or family member with whom your child has unavoidable contact is immunosuppressed, an alternative flu vaccine in injection form will be available from the beginning of the flu programme this year.

For more information contact the immunisation team on 01494 323000. Further information about the children's flu vaccine can be found on the NHS website.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella are common highly infectious viruses, which are airborne and can cause conditions with high temperatures and a nasty rash. Children can be protected by having the MMR vaccine, which is given at their GP surgery as a single injection.

The full course of the MMR vaccination requires two doses. The first jab is usually given within a month of their first birthday and a second jab before starting school, usually between three and five years of age.

It's important to make sure your children are up-to-date with the MMR vaccination before starting school. In some cases, Measles can make children very unwell and require hospitalisation.

It is never too late to have the vaccine if you have had a single vaccine or never had any at all. If you are unsure whether you have previously had the vaccine, you can check with the Immunisation Team on 01494 323000, or the nurse/ GP at your surgery.