With children and young people across Ayrshire returning to school, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is encouraging parents and carers to help protect their child against flu this winter by taking up the offer of vaccination.
The vaccine will be offered to the following groups:
- all school aged pupils (primary and secondary),
- all children aged 2-5 and not yet in school, and
- children aged 6 months to 2 years old with a condition that puts them at increased risk of flu.
Home-educated children and those of school age who do not attend mainstream education are also eligible.
Flu can be serious for children. The flu vaccine is offered as a quick and painless nasal spray for almost all children. It cannot give your child flu and begins providing protection within 10 to 14 days. As well as helping protect children and young people from flu, vaccination can help reduce the spread of the virus to family members, friends and others who may be more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill.
Children aged 2 to 5 are being offered vaccination from the start of the programme to help provide early protection and reduce the risk of flu spreading within communities.
Appointment letters for children aged 6 months to 2 years who are at increased risk will start arriving at homes this week. Letters for children aged 2 to 5 who are not yet in school will either be posted to families or sent home via nursery bags, providing details of when and where vaccinations will take place.
Parents and carers are encouraged to contact the number provided in their child’s letter if they need to rearrange an appointment or if their child misses their appointment for any reason.
For school-aged children, consent forms and further information have been sent home to parents and carers, and should be completed and returned to school without delay. Secondary school pupils can self-consent, although they are encouraged to discuss this with a parent or carer beforehand. School vaccination teams will visit primary and secondary schools between September and December 2026 to offer the nasal spray vaccine to pupils with consent. If you have not received a flu consent form for your child please contact your child’s school in the first instance to request one.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Public Health Director Lynne McNiven said:
“The flu virus changes every year, which is why annual vaccination remains the best way to help protect children and young people against flu. Vaccination can also help prevent some of the complications and secondary infections that can occur after flu, helping children stay well and avoid missing nursery, school and other important activities.
“Please keep an eye out for your child’s appointment letter or consent form. By returning consent forms promptly and taking up the offer of vaccination, parents and carers can help ensure their child benefits from the protection offered by this year’s flu vaccine.”