Dear Parent/Guardian,

Your child’s flu vaccination is now due.

This vaccination is recommended to help protect your child against flu. Flu can be an unpleasant illness and can cause serious complications. Vaccinating your child will also help protect more vulnerable family and friends by preventing the spread of flu.

Please complete the consent form (yes or no) using the following link:

www.bswschoolagedimms.co.uk/Forms/Flu

Please use the school code: WT149117

Please ensure you complete your child’s consent no later than 48 working hours before your school session to ensure your child receives their vaccination.

We are visiting your child’s school Westwood with Iford Primary School on 14-Nov-25 (TBC)

Most children are offered a nasal spray vaccine which is a quick, simple and painless spray up the nose.

The nasal spray vaccine is the preferred vaccine.

A leaflet explaining the vaccination programme for primary aged children can be accessed at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66730c5864e554df3bd0db99/UKHSA_12922_Protecting_your_child_against_flu_leaflet_03_WEB.pdf

A leaflet explaining the vaccination programme for secondary aged young people can be accessed at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64a2e2e245b6a2000c3d47de/UKHSA-12388-protect-yourself-against-flu_information-for-those-in-secondary-school.pdf

This includes details about the small number of children for whom the nasal vaccine is not appropriate. The nasal spray vaccine contains a very small amount of gelatine from pigs (porcine gelatine) as an essential ingredient to keep it stable and able to work. For those who may not accept medicines or vaccines that contain porcine gelatine, a porcine-free flu vaccine injection is available as an alternative. Consent can be provided using the link above.

Secondary School Age Children: Where consent is given for the flu injection, this will be given to your child when the team visit their school.

Primary School Aged Children requiring injectable flu: Once you have completed the consent form for the flu injection, the Immunisation Team will send you a link to book your child into one of our Community Clinics you will then be directed to book a clinic appointment.

Even if your child had the vaccine last year, the type of flu can vary each winter, so it is recommended to have it again this year or they won’t be protected.

Since the programme was introduced, most children offered the vaccine in schools have had the immunisation.

If you have any queries, please contact the School Aged Immunisation Team on 0300 247 0082 or email us using vcl.immunisations@nhs.net

Yours sincerely,
Roanna Ellis
Professional Lead for School Aged Immunisation, B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire, and B&NES School Aged Health

If your child becomes wheezy, has a bad attack of asthma, or has started oral steroids for their asthma after you return this form, please contact the School Aged Immunisation Team on 0300 247 0082.

If you decide you do not want to vaccinate your child against flu, please complete the consent form giving the reason. This will help us plan and improve the service.

For further information see: www.nhs.uk/child-flu