Parents urged to catch up on flu vaccination at children’s clinics this half term

Parents of children who have not yet been vaccinated against flu this winter have been urged to attend one of a series of catch-up sessions for children this February half term, as a wave of serious respiratory illness continues to grip the UK.

Across England, hospitalisations in young children are over 44% higher than the last pre-pandemic year (2019/20), and more people are currently in hospital because of flu than because of COVID-19.

Sessions are due to be held across the local area during the half term holiday, with a mix of walk-in slots and sessions with bookable appointments available.

Dr Sarah Whiteman, Chief Medical Director at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“There are many reasons your child may not yet have been vaccinated against flu.  Some children were absent from school on the day the vaccine was available from the school nursing team, or you may have changed your mind and now wish to get your child protected against flu.

“In any event, for most children, the flu vaccine is a quick and painless spray up the nose which can be given at your family doctor’s surgery.  If the nasal spray vaccine is not suitable for your child, the NHS can offer a flu vaccine injection instead.  You can find more information at www.nhs.uk/flujab.

“Flu can be very dangerous and even life-threatening for some people, especially those with certain health conditions. The flu vaccine is safe and effective, and it’s offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.”

What you can do to get your child vaccinated

• You can check whether your local pharmacy is offering flu vaccinations at www.nhs.uk/book-a-flu-vaccination.

• We are offering some clinics this half term, which are just for children aged 2 to 15.  You can find these at the following places.

BEDFORD

Bookable appointments subject to availability ­– must be booked in advance; call 0300 790 0594  (nasal or injection form)

Pinecones Children’s Centre, Slade Walk, Bedford MK41 7SA

Thursday 16 February

FLITWICK

Walk-in slots – just turn up and get a jab (nasal or injection form)

Flitwick Village Hall, 11 Dunstable Road, Flitwick MK45 1HP

Wednesday 15 February – 08:00-16:00

LUTON

Bookable appointments subject to availability ­– must be booked in advance; call 0300 790 0594 (nasal or injection form)

Dallow Road Community Centre, Dallow Road, Luton LU1 1TB

Wednesday 15 February

Walk-in slots – just turn up and get a jab (nasal or injection form)

Luton Wellbeing Hub, 42-44 The Mall, Luton LU1 2TA

Monday 13 February – 10:00-15:30

MILTON KEYNES

Bookable appointments subject to availability ­– must be booked in advance; call 0300 790 0594 (nasal or injection form)

Conniburrow Community Centre, Conniburrow Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK14 7DX

Monday 13 February

Walk-in slots – just turn up and get vaccinated (nasal or injection form)

Rainbow Pharmacy, Michael Young Building, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6BB

Thursday 16 February – 09:30-16:30

SANDY

Bookable appointments subject to availability ­– must be booked in advance; call 0300 790 0594 (nasal or injection form)

Sandy Village Hall, Medusa Way, Sandy SG19 1BN

Tuesday 14 February