Your child’s annual flu vaccination is due this term

School Age Immunisation Team – Hounslow Team

Heston HC; 25 Cranford Lane, Hounslow, TW5 9ER

Tel: 0203-691-1013 September 2023

Dear Parent/Guardian, 

Your child’s annual flu vaccination is due this term

This vaccination is recommended to help protect your child against flu and this year is being offered to all children in Primary (Rec-Year 6) 

and Secondary schools (Years 7-11) and Special needs schools up to year 13. 

Flu can be an unpleasaportant than ever to reduce the number of those becoming ill with flu this winter to help protect them and the NHS.

The vaccination is free and is a quick and simple spray up the nose. Even if your child had it last year, the type of flu can vary each winter so it is recommended to have the flu vaccine again this year or they won’t be protected. 

The Nasal Spray vant illness and can cause serious complications. Vaccinating your child will also help protect more vulnerable family and friends by preventing the spread of flu. With COVID-19 in circulation it is more important than ever to reduce the number of those becoming ill with flu this winter to help protect them and the NHS.

The vaccination is free and is a quick and simple spray up the nose. Even if your child had it last year, the type of flu can vary each winter so it is recommended to have the flu vaccine again this year or they won’t be protected. 

The Nasal Spray vaccine contains a very small amount of purified porcine gelatine as an essential ingredient to keep it stable and able to work.

A leaflet explaining the vaccination programme can be found at this link: 

Protect yourself against flu – information for those in secondary school – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

It includes details about the small number of children for whom the nasal vaccine is not suitable.  

We are due to immunise at your child’s school on  5th October 2023. In order to access the online consent form online, please click on the following link https://clchschoolimmunisations.co.uk/Forms/Flu

You will need to enter the unique code for your child’s school. The code is CL142781

If you decide you do not want your child to have the flu vaccine, please complete the online consent form and select ‘no consent’ stating the reason for refusal. 

We ask for your child’s NHS number on all consent forms. This allows your child’s GP record to be easily updated. If you are unsure of the NHS number it can be found in their red book, or you can search via Find your NHS number – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Please submit your form well before our team are due to visit the school to ensure your child receives their vaccination. If you experience any problems accessing the form or have any queries, please telephone the Hounslow team on the number provided above and the team will be happy to help. 

If you have completed a consent form and wish to withdraw consent, or your child has received the flu vaccination at their GP prior to us visiting the school, 

We ask for your child’s NHS number on all consent forms. This allows your child’s GP record to be easily updated. If you are unsure of the NHS number it can be found in their red book, or you can search via Find your NHS number – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Please submit your form well before our team are due to visit the school to ensure your child receives their vaccination. If you experience any problems accessing the form or have any queries, please telephone the Hounslow team on the number provided above and the team will be happy to help. 

If you have completed a consent form and wish to withdraw consent, or your child has received the flu vaccination at their GP prior to us visiting the school, please email our Team 48 hours before the session to avoid the risk of your child receiving an additional dose of the vaccine.

CLCHT.hounslowschoolagedimmunisation@nhs.net with your child’s name, date of birth and school, stating the reason for withdrawing consent.

The flu vaccination this year is being offered only up to 15th December 2023 in schools and catch up clinics at Heston Health Centre. 

While COVID-19 is in circulation, the healthcare team and school will follow guidelines to ensure children are safe when being offered the vaccine. 

Yours sincerely,

Janet Graham

Clinical Lead School Age Immunisations Hounslow Borough

If your child becomes wheezy, has a bad asthma attack , or has started oral steroids for their asthma after you return this form, please contact the healthcare team. 

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

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