By Natalie Westmacott, nurse and lead for the school vaccination teams in Dorset
Hello! I’m Natalie, a vaccinations nurse working in schools across Dorset.
With October half-term just around the corner, and flu bugs spreading fast, now is the perfect time to help protect your child from flu, and from COVID-19 if they’re eligible.
Have you seen our storybook, Flu Fighters versus Chilly, Achy and Snotty? It’s on our family-friendly Flu Fighters page. The story follows three slimy aliens from Planet Bogey who come to Earth to spread diseases like flu.
Luckily, their plans are stopped by brave children who become Flu Fighters after getting their flu vaccination!
It’s now easier than ever to protect your little ones
- Children aged 2–3 years can get their free flu vaccination at many local pharmacies or their GP surgery. You can find a walk-in pharmacy here.
- School-aged children will be offered their flu vaccination in school by my brilliant team, just remember to complete the online consent form. You need your schools code for this which will be sent to you via the school.
If you have not had your school consent form yet, keep an eye out as it will come your way soon.
If your child missed their school vaccination, don’t worry, parents get sent a link to book if their child misses the vaccination in school, or if they submit a consent form after the school portal has closed for their school.
We can also offer some nasal flu vaccines to 2- and 3-year-olds if they attend a clinic with an older sibling.
Why the flu vaccination matters
Coughs and colds are common in children, but flu can make them feel much worse. It often causes:
- a high temperature
- sore muscles
- tiredness that lasts for days
The flu vaccination helps your child’s body prepare to fight the virus. Think of it as a shield for their immune system. It helps them stay well, enjoy school, and keep doing what they love.
When your child has the flu vaccination, it doesn’t just protect them, it helps protect everyone around them too. That includes grandparents, babies, and anyone who might find it harder to recover from flu.
So when your child becomes a Flu Fighter, they’re helping protect their whole family, school, and community.
What if my child doesn’t like needles?
Good news, most children don’t need a needle at all. The flu vaccination is usually given as a quick nasal spray. It’s over in seconds, and many children say it just feels like a tickle.
If your child feels nervous, visit our Flu Fighters page. It has videos and fun information to help them feel more confident, and it might help you feel more at ease too.
My team is here to make the process easy and worry-free
To learn more about vaccinations and who can have them, visit www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/vaccinations.
Let’s stay well together this winter.
