Nasal flu spray to protect pupils 'is painless', Shropshire parents told
A new nasal spray to protect youngsters in Shropshire and Mid Wales against the flu virus as part of an NHS pilot scheme was today hailed as "simple" and "painless" by health experts.
The latest method, which offers an alternative to the injected flu vaccine, is free, easier to give out, and has fewer side effects.
It comes as thousands of schoolchildren in the region will become some of the first to benefit from this type of Fluenz immunisation, as part of a pioneering NHS pilot scheme.
It will be given out in Shropshire schools to year seven and eight pupils from this month as a single dose of nasal spray squirted up each nostril.
Year seven pupils will be offered the nasal spray in schools and GP surgeries, along with youngsters aged two, three and four, will be offered the spray in Wales from October 9.
Not only is it needle-free, it leads to fewer side effects which, in children, can include wheezing, vomiting, fever and muscle aches.
Carole Hales, immunisation manager at Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, said: "Flu can be a really serious illness for some, so immunising pupils in years seven and eight will help stop it spreading through the school to friends and family members, who may be more vulnerable.
"This method of delivering the vaccine is simple and painless and protects children against many strains of the flu virus."
The scheme has already been rolled out in some areas, including Wolverhampton and Greater Manchester, and it is expected that the immunisation will be brought in for all children in the future.
All parents will be contacted about Fluenz, which has been used in the US for more than 10 years.
It is part of NHS England's pilot scheme in partnership with Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and local schools.
In preparation for the winter months ahead, the free nasal spray should be available in schools from the end of September.
Flu is a highly contagious illness that spreads rapidly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are carrying the virus.
Immunising all school children in years seven and eight should help stop the spread of the virus through the school, and to friends and family members who may be more vulnerable to its effects.
The spray has been used safely and effectively in the USA for over 10 years, and last year it was introduced in the UK as a way of protecting healthy two and three year olds against the virus.
Neil Adams, screening and immunisation lead for Shropshire and Staffordshire at NHS England, said:"The vaccine is the best possible protection against the flu virus.
"Not only is the nasal spray needle-free, it also works even better than the injected flu vaccine with fewer side effects.
"It's quick and painless and will mean your child is less likely to become ill if they come into contact with the flu virus."
School-based immunisation teams will be responsible for ensuring that the county's pupils receive the Fluenz nasal spray in school.
It is not available at local GP practices in England unless children are already in an at-risk group.
For more on the Fluenz vaccination visit the NHS Choices website.
