Catch-up flu vaccine clinics offered as cases rise

Flu vaccination catch-up clinics are being held for children who may have missed free sessions in schools.

Clinics will be held at Biz Space, near Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre, on Tuesday and Wednesday and appointments need to be booked in advance.

The UK Health Security Agency has urged families in the West Midlands to arrange vaccines as data shows many children are still unprotected from flu.

It said among primary school aged children, the best uptake in the region was 49.9%, while the lowest was 18.6%.

The catch-up clinics are open to pupils from reception to Year 11.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, cabinet member for adults and wellbeing, said cases were rising nationwide, particularly among primary and secondary age children.

She said flu could be deadly and was easily spread.

"The free vaccine is the best way to protect your children and other family members, particularly more vulnerable relatives like grandparents or those with underlying health conditions," she added.

"The vaccination is quick and safe and it's also needle-free for most children because it can be given via a nasal spray, rather than via injection."

It also comes as hospitals in the West Midlands say they are coming under pressure because of the number of flu-related cases. Some are currently seeing far more patients than at the peak of last winter.

Every school in Wolverhampton is being visited twice by healthcare professionals who are giving the vaccines.

The catch-up clinics are for parents and guardians of children who have missed both dates, are home-schooled, or would prefer to visit a clinic.

Most children have the vaccine via a nasal spray. For children who require an alternative, an injection is available on request.

Appointments can be booked by phoning Vaccination UK, the council said.

The clinic on Tuesday runs from 15:00 to 15:50 GMT, and the session on Wednesday will be held from 15:00 GMT to 16:20 GMT.

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