1. 2016 Flu vaccination in primary school

2. What is influenza (flu)
Symptoms include:
headache
extreme tiredness
high temperature
aching muscles
cough and cold symptoms
feeling really unwell
Flu is caused by a virus
Spreads easily through coughs and sneezes
Anyone can get flu, but rates of infection are highest among children
Notes:
People of any age can get flu, from the very young to the very old. Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or be inhaled by them in the air. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object such as a toy that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.  
In Wales last winter (2015/16) just under 10,000 people were diagnosed with flu by their GP and many more will have had flu but didn’t visit their GP.
Flu vaccination in school

3. Did you know that? Up to 1 in 10 children get flu every year
Flu can result in:
Absence from school
Doctors appointments
Some children are so poorly they are admitted to hospital
A small number are treated in intensive care units
In 2015/16 ten children in Wales aged nine or under were treated in intensive care units for the complications of flu.
Image © Leah Millinship
Flu vaccination in school

4. Why vaccinate your child against flu?
To protect your child against flu
To protect your family and others from catching flu from your child
When children get flu parents need to take time off work or ask relatives to look after their sick child/children.
Children are ‘super spreaders’ of flu and other illnesses
Parents may catch flu from their children and then need to take time off work unwell
Children may also spread the flu virus to elderly relatives or relatives and friends with health conditions that put them more at risk from the complications of flu
Flu vaccines are not suitable for children under six months of age
Image © Leah Millinship
Flu vaccination in school

5. Nasal spray flu vaccine
The flu vaccine given in school is a nasal spray
It is the recommended flu vaccine for children aged 2 and over
Nasal spray flu vaccine has been widely used in the UK for three years
It has a good safety record
© Public Health Wales
Flu viruses can change every year so the vaccine is changed every year to make sure the best protection is offered.
The vaccine has been widely used in the UK since 2013 when the children’s flu vaccination programme was introduced
Flu vaccination in school

6. How effective is nasal spray flu vaccine?
The vaccine contains four strains of flu virus (two A and two B strains)
The strains of flu virus included in the vaccine alter each year to match the WHO (World Health Organisation) recommendations
Flu vaccines are usually well matched and provide good protection against flu
In 2015/16 nasal spray flu vaccine was 58% effective in preventing flu infection in children aged 2–17 years in the UK
2015/16 end of season vaccine efficacy studies showed that nasal spray flu vaccine had been 57.6% effective in preventing flu infection among children aged 2 – 17 years in 2015/16. Overall adjusted end-of-season flu vaccine effectiveness (VE) for all types of flu vaccine was 52.4% in all age groups.
Reference: Eurosurveillance Edition  2016: Volume 21/ Issue 38
Flu vaccination in school

7. The vaccination Nasal spray flu vaccine:
NO NEEDLE involved - does not hurt
small amount of spray up each nostril
no need to sniff or breathe in
© Public Health Wales
no need to repeat if sneeze or runny nose
nose may feel a little runny or blocked afterwards
can use tissue to wipe nose afterwards if needed
Children often say “it tickles”
Flu vaccination in school

8. Are there any side effects?
Most children feel fine afterwards and don’t experience any side effects
Any side effects are usually mild and only last a day or two but may include:
A stuffy or runny nose
Headache
Aching muscles
Slight temperature
Reduced appetite
Tiredness
Image © Leah Millinship
Flu vaccination in school

9. Are there any children who shouldn’t have the nasal spray flu vaccine?
Most children can safely have the nasal spray flu vaccine
It is not recommended for a small number of children. The exclusions are outlined in the children’s flu vaccine leaflet
These children will be offered an injection at their GP surgery
Speak to your school nurse if you are unsure or need advice
Parents of these children (who’ve consented for their child to have nasal spray flu vaccine in school) will receive a letter from the school nursing team asking them to make an appointment for their child to have a flu vaccine injection at their GP surgery.
Flu vaccination in school

10. Who will be offered nasal spray flu vaccine in school in 2016/17
All children in reception class and school years 1, 2 and 3
Children in these school years will be offered flu vaccination regardless of their date of birth
Where consent for the vaccination has been received but the child is unable to attend the arranged school vaccination session, a letter will be provided by the school nursing service advising that a flu vaccination appointment may be made with their GP. Where no consent has been received, the option to have the vaccine at the GP will not be offered.
Flu vaccination in school

11. Are younger children eligible?
Children aged 2 or 3 years (age on 31st August 2016) will have their nasal flu vaccine at their GP surgery
(Dates of birth from 1st September 2012 to 31 August 2014 inclusive)
Flu vaccination in school

12. What about other children?
Children aged six months and older at increased risk of becoming very ill from flu, such as those with health conditions like diabetes, heart or lung conditions should have a flu vaccine each year
Children in school year 4 and above who are in a ‘risk group’ for flu should contact their GP surgery to arrange their flu vaccine
Children aged 6 months to 23 months are only eligible for a flu vaccine if they have a medical condition that increases the risk of complications from flu.
These children will have their flu vaccine by injection as the nasal spray isn’t suitable for this age group.
Flu vaccine is not available for babies under 6 months old, which is why it’s important to have a flu vaccine during each pregnancy to protect baby in the first few months of life as well as mum.
Flu vaccination in school

13. Before vaccination
A letter, consent form and information will be sent home with your child
If you have any questions contact your school nurse
The completed consent form should be returned to school as soon as possible
Flu vaccination in school

14. Day of the vaccination
Make sure you have returned your child’s consent form to school
Minor illness such as a cough or cold is not a reason for your child to miss their flu vaccination
The nurse will assess your child on the day and will send a letter home if they are unable to have the vaccine in school
The vaccine may not work so well in children with a heavily blocked or runny nose and children who are acutely unwell or have a fever.
The nurse will assess each child on the day of the vaccination in school and if this applies to your child a letter will be sent home, with your child, to enable you to obtain their flu vaccine from your GP surgery when they are well.
Flu vaccination in school

15. On the vaccination day tell your child’s teacher if your child……
has had their asthma treatment altered since you completed their consent form
is wheezy or has been in the last 3 days
is feeling unwell or has been ill recently
If this applies please leave a telephone number where you can be contacted as a nurse may telephone you
Flu vaccination in school

16. How will the vaccine be given in school?
A team of nurses will visit your child’s school with all the necessary equipment
A qualified nurse will give your child the nasal spray vaccine
Flu vaccination in school

17. GP follow up
Some children will need to attend their GP for the nasal spray vaccine. These children will receive a letter from the school nurse
Children who are increased risk from flu, due to a medical condition or treatment, who have never had a flu vaccination before will need a second flu vaccine not sooner than four weeks after at their GP surgery. Speak to the school nurse if this applies to your child.
The vaccine may not work so well in children with a heavily blocked or runny nose and children who are acutely unwell or have a fever. The nurse will assess each child on the day of the vaccination in school and if this applies to your child a letter will be sent home, with your child, to enable you to obtain their flu vaccine from your GP surgery when they are well.
Flu vaccination in school

18. Other information
Nasal spray flu vaccine contains small traces of highly purified porcine (pork) gelatine to stabilise the vaccine
Nasal spray flu vaccine provides good protection against flu in children aged 2 and over
An alternative flu vaccine is not available for children who are not in a ‘risk group’ for flu
It is up to an individual parent/guardian to decide if they would like their child vaccinated against flu on the basis of informed consent
Gelatine is commonly used in a range of medicines, including many capsules and some other vaccines.
For children who are not in an at risk group an alternative vaccine is not available in NHS Wales. Nasal spray flu vaccine is the recommended vaccine for the childhood influenza vaccination programme as it provides the greatest protection for children in the recommended age groups.
Following consultation with the Muslim Council of Britain and different stakeholder groups representing views within the Muslim and Jewish communities it is acknowledged that there is diversity of opinion on porcine gelatine in medicines.
The acceptability of medication that contains components that are otherwise forbidden may depend upon a specific interpretation, and many Muslims will accept these products. Most Jewish authorities agree that limitations on medications with porcine components are only an issue with oral administration, and do not apply to injectable medications or nasal spray vaccines.
This, with the additional inclusion of nasal medication, is consistent with the advice that Public Health England (PHE) obtained from the Kashrus and Medicines Information Service:
‘It should be noted that according to Jewish laws, there is no problem with porcine or other animal derived ingredients in non-oral products. This includes vaccines, including those administered via the nose, injections, suppositories, creams and ointments.’
Within the British Muslim and Jewish communities, there are some that may consider medicines and vaccines containing any porcine product to be forbidden. In these circumstances, it is likely that the individual would be unable to accept many pharmaceutical products unless there was no suitable alternative and / or the product was considered life-saving.
Ultimately the patient or parent has to make a decision about vaccination on the basis of informed consent. It is recommended that eligible patients are given the relevant vaccine in a timely manner to ensure the optimum protection.
Welsh Government and Public Health Wales have produced a leaflet ‘Vaccines and porcine gelatine’ for health professionals and the public which provides further information about the porcine content of vaccines.
Flu vaccination in school

19. Other vaccinations Are your child’s routine vaccinations up to date?
Have they had two doses of MMR?
If you are unsure ask your school nurse or GP to check your child’s records
The schedule can be downloaded from the ‘Related links’ section on the Public Health Wales, Vaccines for children web page:
Flu vaccination in school
Flu vaccination in school

20. Further Information
Flu vaccine for children- NHS Direct Wales
Public Health Wales – Childhood flu vaccination programme
You can speak to your School Nurse or GP
Phone NHS Direct Wales on
Flu vaccination in school

21. Template side set produced by the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme, Public Health Wales, August 2016