In the 2022/2023 flu season, the flu vaccination is being offered to all children from reception class, up until year 9, and all children up until their 18th birthday in special schools, between now and the end of January. The vaccine is given as a simple nasal spray up the nose. It is quick and painless and serious side effects are uncommon. It is designed to protect your child and their community against flu which can be an unpleasant illness and, although rarely, may cause serious complications. The flu vaccine provides protection against the strains that are predicted to circulate in the coming season. These strains may change from year to year which is why we recommend receiving the vaccination every year. Our Somerset school uptake rates are usually strong and the school team are aiming for similar success this year to ensure as many of our children are protected as possible. The vaccination for school children is usually the Fluenz nasal spray. Some children with other risk factors or in contact with someone with a weakened immune system may need a different vaccine but the vaccination service will advise if this is necessary or if other precautions should be taken. The vaccination is of a weakened flu virus which cannot give them flu but children can have a runny nose, feel a bit tired or headachy afterwards for a few days. The main reason to vaccinate school children is that research shows that children are what we call ‘super-spreaders’. By vaccinating young children we can reduce the amount of flu going around. This may be very important if your child is in regular contact with older relatives or others with an underlying health condition, frail or elderly. As usual the School Aged Immunisation Nursing Team (SAINT) will get in touch with schools to agree a date for the vaccination session and the best implementation approach. Somerset school vaccination schedule 2021/22 Scroll down to bottom of page for schedule. There are some fun resources which you can use to explain to your child why it is important to get the flu vaccination. These were developed in Wolverhampton so ignore those references but the stories are great! Flu Fighters Versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty tells the story of three slimy alien invaders from the Planet Bogey who came to Earth “to spread disease and make Wolverhampton’s children cough, splutter and sneeze”. Fortunately, their dastardly plans are thwarted by a watchful nurse who protects our young heroes by giving them the nasal spray and turning them into Flu Fighters. Flu Fighters versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty Video of school vaccinations taking into account new COVID precautions All clinics below are for the Flu Nasal spray vaccination and are walk ins (no appointment needed) for children of reception age up to year 6 that are home educated or have missed their in-school opportunity. If your child requires the FLU inactivated injection please contact 0300 323 0032 to arrange an appointment. Day Date Time Open for walk in Location Saturday 1 October 9.30-11.45 Crispin Hall 83 High Street Street BA16 0EZ Saturday 1 October 13:15 – 15:15 Westlands Leisure Centre Westbourne Close Yeovil BA20 2DD Monday 24 October 9:30 – 12:00 Sydenham Community centre Parkway Bridgwater TA6 4QZ Monday 24 October 09:30 – 12:00 Westlands Leisure Centre Westbourne Close Yeovil BA20 2DD Tuesday 25 October 9:45 – 12:00 Crispin Hall 83 High Street Street BA16 0EZ Tuesday 25 October 9:45 – 12:00 Minehead LOCATION TBC Wednesday 26 October 9:30 – 12:00 Taunton Hub – Group Room Community Families Hub Level 2, East Reach House East Reach Taunton TA1 3EN Thursday 27 October 9:45 – 11:45 Frome Town Hall Christchurch Street West Frome, Somerset BA11 1EB Thursday 27 October 9:30 – 12:00 Burnham on Sea Community Centre 5 Berrow Road Burnham-on-Sea TA8 2ET Friday 28 October 9:30 – 11:45 Shepton Mallet Community Hospital (Outpatients) Old Wells Road Shepton Mallet BA4 4PG Friday 28 October 09:30 – 12:00 St Marys Church Rooms Chard TA20 2EA Saturday 12 November 09:30 – 11:45 Minehead Community Hospital Luttrell Way, Minehead TA24 6DF Saturday 12 November 13:30 –15:30 Taunton Hub – Group Room Community Families Hub, Level 2, East Reach House, East Reach, Taunton, TA1 3EN Saturday 3 December 9:30 – 11:45 Burnham on Sea Community Centre 5 Berrow Road Burnham-on-Sea TA8 2ET Saturday 3 December 13:00 – 15:15 Bridgwater Hospital Bower Lane Bridgwater TA6 4GU Monday 19 December 9:30 – 11:30 Burnham on Sea Community Centre 5 Berrow Road Burnham-on-Sea TA8 2ET Monday 19 December 13:00 – 15:15 Sydenham Community centre Parkway Bridgwater TA6 4QZ Tuesday 20 December 9:45 – 11:30 Frome Town Hall Christchurch Street West Frome Somerset BA11 1EB Tuesday 20 December 13:00 – 14:45 Crispin Hall 83 High Street Street BA16 0EZ Wednesday 21 December 9:30 – 11:30 Minehead LOCATION TBC Wednesday 21 December 13:00 – 15:30 Taunton Hub – Group Room Community Families Hub, Level 2, East Reach House, East Reach, Taunton, TA1 3EN Thursday 22 December 9:30 – 11:30 St Marys Church Rooms Chard TA20 2EA Thursday 22 December 13:00 to 15:30 Westlands Leisure Centre Westbourne Close, Yeovil BA20 2DD Wednesday 28 December 13:00 – 15:15 Sydenham Community centre Parkway Bridgwater TA6 4QZ Thursday 29 December 13:00 – 15:15 Westlands Leisure Centre Westbourne Close, Yeovil BA20 2DD Thursday 29 December 9:30 – 11:30 Shepton Mallet Community Hospital (Outpatients) Old Wells Road Shepton Mallet BA4 4PG Thursday 29 December 13:00 – 15:00 Wincanton Community Hospital – Camelot Room Dancing Ln, Wincanton BA9 9DQ Friday 30 December 13:00 – 15:15 Taunton Hub – Group Room Community Families Hub, Level 2, East Reach House, East Reach, Taunton, TA1 3EN