Families eligible for the child flu vaccination are being contacted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with information on appointments. Younger children are invited to community clinics, while school pupils will receive consent forms via their schools. The health board is encouraging prompt action to ensure children are protected before flu becomes more prevalent.
For those unable to attend scheduled appointments, the Flu Contact Centre can be reached on 0800 917 6115 to rearrange. The health board stresses the importance of not letting appointments pass unused, as alternative dates and locations may be available. Additional weekend clinics, including drop-in sessions, are being held across the region. Notable drop-in clinics include Pollok Health Centre on Saturday 10 October, Gorbals Health & Care Centre on Sunday 11 October, and Parkhead Hub on Saturday 24 October.
The flu vaccine for most eligible children is administered as a quick, painless nasal spray, often referred to as a “wee scoosh”. Protection typically develops within 10 to 14 days. An injectable alternative is available for children who cannot receive the nasal spray. The vaccine is offered to children aged six months to two years with eligible health conditions, children aged two to five not yet at school, and all primary and secondary school pupils.
John O’Dowd, Interim Director of Public Health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, emphasised the seriousness of flu, stating, “Flu can be much more than a bad cold, and even children who are normally healthy can become seriously unwell.” He urged families to use their appointments or rearrange them, and for parents of school-aged children to return consent forms promptly. O’Dowd highlighted the additional weekend and drop-in clinics as measures to ease access for families.
Vaccination helps protect not only the child but also vulnerable family members and those around them. Flu can lead to complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, middle-ear infections, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Further details on local clinics and times are available via a link to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's website, with general information provided by NHS Inform.
