
The Trust has a dedicated School Aged Immunisation Team made up of professionals who are highly skilled and experienced in giving vaccinations. The immunisation teams cover all school aged children living in Nottingham City, County and Bassetlaw.
It is important to protect our children and young people against a number of dangerous infectious diseases. The National Immunisation Programme means that diseases like Polio have disappeared in the UK; this is only possible by maintaining the high vaccination rates for children and young people across our local communities.
You must complete one online consent form for each of your children.
It is important every child has a completed form which states if you would like them to receive the flu vaccination spray or not.
Before completing the consent form you will require a code for your child’s school.
Click here to view a list of school codes.
We are a team of skilled and experienced nurses and support staff. The flu vaccination is a quick and simple spray up the nose.
Step one: The nurse places the tip of a thin plastic tube just inside the nostril. The child can breathe normally whilst the vaccine is given.
Step two: Half of the vaccine is sprayed in one nostril.
Step three: The other half of the vaccine is sprayed into the other nostril.
The nasal spray may not be suitable for some children, for more information visit: www.nhs.uk/child-flu.
If you have any questions or need support to complete the consent form, please contact our friendly SAIS team:
Question: What should I do as my child is frightened of needles?
Answer: The flu vaccine is not an injection it is a small spray that goes up the nose.
Question: I have 2 children do I have to complete an online form for each of them?
Answer: Yes, it is essential every child has their own completed online form, whether or not you want them to receive the vaccination.
Question: My child had the flu vaccination last year. Do they really need it again this year?
Answer: Yes; flu viruses change regularly so a brand-new vaccine may need to be created. Therefore, we recommend that your child receives the flu nasal spray every year.
Question: My friend says there are a lot of side-effects from the vaccine, is this true?
Answer: It is true that occasionally children may develop a runny or blocked nose, a headache, general tiredness, or some loss of appetite. However, these are much less serious than developing flu or the complications associated with flu. Serious side-effects are uncommon.
Question: Does the flu nasal spray contain gelatine derived from pigs (porcine gelatine)?
Answer: Yes. The flu nasal spray contains a highly processed form of gelatine (porcine gelatine), which is used in many essential medicines. The gelatine helps to keep the vaccine stable so that it can provide the best possible protection.
For those who may not accept the use of porcine gelatine in medical products, an alternative injectable vaccine is available this year. You should discuss your options with the SAIS team.
Question: My child missed their flu spray as they were poorly on the vaccination day, what can I do?
Answer: Do not worry please contact our helpful School Aged Immunisation Service team on 07920182032 or sais@nottshc.nhs.uk to see if they are returning to school or can offer you an appointment at another site.