Nasal flu vaccine offered in Walsall schools

The nasal spray vaccine - Fluenz - will help protect them from the virus and reduce the chance of other family members getting it.

Around 3,500 year seven and eight pupils will be eligible and healthcare staff will administer the vaccine in the child's school, during the Autumn term.

Letters have started to go out to Walsall parents and carers advising them of the benefits of vaccination and answering common questions about its safety and effectiveness.

Pilot schemes are already running in the Black Country, Birmingham and Solihull, Shropshire and Staffordshire as well as elsewhere in the country.

Uma Viswanathan, consultant in Public Health Medicine at Walsall Council, said: "Fluenz is a simple spray up the nose. It is painless, very quick, and side effects are uncommon and generally mild.

"Flu can be a really nasty illness than can sometimes lead to serious complications. It is also easily contracted by friends and family and can spread through groups of people quickly.

"By having the flu vaccine children are less likely to pass the virus on - particularly to those who are at greater risk from flu complications such as babies, pregnant women, older people or someone with an underlying health condition."

Council leader Mike Bird welcomed the plans.

He said: "Anything that stops disease spreading has to be good. Flu can mean people being off school, including the teaching staff.

"It will be individual people's choice but I welcome it."