Childhood Flu programme 2020
Autumn Term 2020
Dear Parent/Carer
Your child’s annual flu vaccination is now due
Wednesday, 18 November 2020 at JOHN HAMPDEN PRIMARY SCHOOL
A yearly flu vaccination is now part of the UK childhood vaccination schedule. This vaccination programme is in place to help protect your child against flu. Flu vaccination is offered each year between October and January. Having the vaccine will help protect your child from what can be a very nasty illness in children. This year helping to protect them against flu is particularly important if COVID-19 is still circulating because people at risk of flu are also vulnerable to the complications of COVID -19.
The vaccination is painless and free, given by a quick and simple spray up the nose.
CONSENT FORM
To access the consent form please click on the following link https://www.oxfordhealthimms.co.uk/forms/flu (Paper copies are no longer available)
The unique code for your child’s school is :- OX123076
Please submit your form by 5pm on Sunday, 15 Nov 2020 to ensure your child receives their vaccination.
The link will close on this date and late consents will not be accepted.
When completing the consent form, it is important to enter your child’s NHS Number.
This can be found in your child’s Red Book or from their GP Surgery.
The nasal flu vaccination will be given in school to children in Reception class and in year groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 this year. The school nurse team will visit each school once. The dates are also available on our website: https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/school-health-nurses/immunisations/flu-immunisations/
Important parent/carer information – Please read the leaflet available here which explains the vaccination programme. If you require a hard copy, please contact the Immunisation Team Assistant. It is important that you read this leaflet carefully so that you are fully informed to provide consent for your child to receive the vaccination. Further information is also available at: www.nhs.uk/child-flu
Children at high risk from flu – If your child is at high risk from flu due to one or more medical conditions and can’t have the nasal flu vaccine, they should have the flu vaccine by injection. Children at high risk are offered the flu vaccine each year from their GP and you can choose if you would like your child to be vaccinated by the School Nurse Team in a Community Clinic or at your GP surgery. This includes children with Asthma who require systemic (oral) steroids or who have had previous episodes of asthma requiring hospital admission.
Asthma– We may not be able to immunise your child safely If your child
- is unwell on the day of immunisation
or
- if they are currently taking or have been prescribed steroid tablets to control their asthma in the two weeks prior to the vaccination session in school
or
- if they have a history of active wheezing in the 3 days prior to the vaccination session and/or have increased the use of their Bronchodilator in the 3 days prior to the vaccination session in school
It is therefore very important that you inform both your School Health Nurse Assistant on 07789397996 and your school office before 08:45 on the day of immunisation
if any of the above apply.
Catch up sessions – If your child is unwell or absent on the day of vaccination, the school nurse team (not your GP) will offer catch up appointments in clinics out of school.
Declining the offer of flu vaccination – If your child has already been vaccinated (or booked to have the vaccine at their GP’s) as they are in a high risk group, or you decide you do not want to vaccinate your child against flu, please complete and submit the consent form refusing the immunisation. If you would like to share why you do not want your child to receive the flu vaccine, this will help us plan and improve the service.
Withdrawing Consent – If you wish to withdraw consent please submit another consent form refusing the immunisation at least 48hrs before the immunisation session. Please ensure you also make further contact as below
- Ring and speak to the School Health Nurse Assistant on the number below
- Inform your school before 08:45 and request that your message is given to the School Nursing team coming to your school.
If your child receives their Flu vaccination from another Health Care Professional eg GP before the School Session it is VERY important that you withdraw consent as above to ensure your child is not vaccinated twice
Yours sincerely,
Fiona Singleton,
Immunisation Team Leader, School Health Nursing
| Contact Details | |
| School Health Nurse Assistant
On the day of vaccination please call this number |
School Health Nurse Office |
| Kate Corti 07789397996 | 01865 904225 |
| For non-urgent enquiries.
This mailbox is checked weekly. Email: Flu.SchoolNurses@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk Immunisation Team Administrator Ali Lunn 07920 254400 |
|