BEAT THE FLU
WITH A WEE SCOOSH
IT'S VITAL children and young people GET THE VACCINE TO STOP THE VIRUS IN ITS TRACKS
HEALTH experts are urging parents to make sure their kids are protected - so the rest of the family are too.
Every autumn, children and young people from age two to the end of secondary school are offered the flu vaccine.
And it’s especially important that wee ones - aged two to five – are vaccinated as they are more likely to spread the virus to others
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SPRING is the perfect time to get out and about, visit Scotland’s brilliant local attractions – and make memories that will last a lifetime.
With hundreds of places to visit - from museums and art galleries to nature reserves, music, food and drink festivals and everything in between - there’s a host of fun days out that are ideal for the whole family.
And great value deals, like Good Journey discounts on selected attraction entry fees when you travel by train or bus, mean you won’t have to blow the budget either.
Michael Golding, Chief Executive Officer at the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions, said: “Visitors travel from all over the world to experience Scotland’s incredible attractions, yet we often overlook the outstanding places that are right on our doorstep.
“From history and heritage to culture, adventure, and family fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
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Thats the same as
are offered the flu vaccine
Dr Claire Cameron, Consultant in Health Protection, says: “Flu can be really serious for young children, even if they are usually healthy.
“Almost 1,900 children in Scotland were hospitalised as a result of catching flu last year – that’s the same as 170 football teams.
“Flu spreads really easily among two to five year olds because, they play closely together and often touch their faces, making it easy for the virus to enter their bodies.
“Getting them vaccinated against flu protects them – and helps protect others around them, like parents, carers, grandparents, siblings, pals and anyone else they’re in contact with.
1,900 children
were hospitalised from flu
170 football teams
Last year almost
2 to the end of secondary school
Every Autumn children and young people aged
BEAT THE FLU
WITH A WEE SKOOSH
Easy, quick, safe and painless – just a wee scoosh up the nose.
NHSINFORM.SCOT/CHILDFLU
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
Foster care is taking care of a child when they cannot stay in their own home or with another family member.
You can apply to become a foster carer through your local council.
Are there different types of foster care?
Yes – there are many different types of foster care and you will be supported to discover which type of fostering is best for you and your family. They include short breaks, short-term foster care, when you look after a child for less than a year, and longer-term foster care, when you look after a child for more than two years. Permanent foster care is when a child lives with you permanently.
Can anyone become a foster carer?
You can foster a child if you are a full time resident in the UK, are aged 18 or over and have a spare bedroom in your home. There is no upper age limit. It does not matter whether you have children already or not, whether you rent your home or own it, and whether you work full-time or not. And you can foster a child regardless of your marital status, sexual orientation or religion.
How do I apply to become a foster carer?
The fostering service you apply through will carry out an assessment which may take between six to 12 months. It checks things like your medical history, your criminal record and your finances. Through the application and preparation process you will be supported by a social worker who will visit your home several times and get to know you and your family.
What is Flu?
Who is being offered the vaccine?
Foster care is taking care of a child when they cannot stay in their own home or with another family member.
You can apply to become a foster carer through your local council.
Are there different types of foster care?
Yes – there are many different types of foster care and you will be supported to discover which type of fostering is best for you and your family. They include short breaks, short-term foster care, when you look after a child for less than a year, and longer-term foster care, when you look after a child for more than two years. Permanent foster care is when a child lives with you permanently.
Can anyone become a foster carer?
You can foster a child if you are a full time resident in the UK, are aged 18 or over and have a spare bedroom in your home. There is no upper age limit. It does not matter whether you have children already or not, whether you rent your home or own it, and whether you work full-time or not. And you can foster a child regardless of your marital status, sexual orientation or religion.
How do I apply to become a foster carer?
The fostering service you apply through will carry out an assessment which may take between six to 12 months. It checks things like your medical history, your criminal record and your finances. Through the application and preparation process you will be supported by a social worker who will visit your home several times and get to know you and your family.
All children who are aged two to five years on September 1, 2025 – and not yet in school – can get the flu vaccine.
Primary and high school pupils are also offered the vaccine.
Why should I have my child vaccinated?
Even healthy children can become seriously ill from flu and in the worst cases, flu can lead to disability and even death.
Getting vaccinated will help prevent your child getting sick with flu and needing time off school and nursery.
It will also lower the risk of them spreading flu to friends and family who are at greater risk from flu – like grandparents or people with health conditions.
How is the vaccine given?
Children and young people aged two to 17 are usually given the flu vaccine as a nasal spray and most will only need one dose.
It is quick and painless – just a wee scoosh – and there is no need to sniff or inhale. It just feels like a tickle in the nose.
The nasal spray is a more effective vaccine than the injected flu vaccine and is the preferred option.
Is the vaccine suitable for all children?
Some youngsters with certain health conditions, such as asthma or a heart condition, are eligible for the vaccine from the age of six months.
These youngsters will receive an injectable vaccine rather than the nasal spray.
Is the vaccine safe?
All medicines, including vaccines, are tested for safety and effectiveness before they’re allowed to be used.
The nasal spray vaccine has been used in Scotland for more than 10 years, with millions of doses given.
Is it true there is pork gelatine in the vaccine?
The nasal spray flu vaccine contains a highly processed form of pork gelatine, as well as a weakened form of the flu virus.
Many faith groups, including Muslim and Jewish communities, have approved the use of vaccines containing gelatine, but an alternative vaccine can be given as injection into the arm if you prefer.
Are there any side effects?
As with all medicines, the flu vaccine can cause side effects including a headache and muscle aches, a blocked or runny nose, reduced appetite and feeling weak.
But these symptoms are usually mild and go away after a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
The side effects are much less serious than flu or the complications flu can cause.
If your child had the injectable vaccine instead of the nasal spray, they might experience similar side effects, except for the blocked or runny nose.
They may also have slight swelling, redness or tenderness at the site where the injection was given.
Can the flu vaccine give my child flu?
No. The virus in the vaccine has been weakened so it doesn’t cause flu but simply helps build up your child’s immunity to it.
It should start to protect most children about 10 to 14 days after they receive their vaccination.
Why does my child need the flu vaccine every year?
Flu viruses are constantly changing, so a different vaccine has to be made every year to ensure the best protection against flu.
What do I need to do now?
If your child is not yet at school, look out for a letter and leaflet in the post inviting them to an appointment, or with details on how to book one.
All children and young people in primary school and high school will receive a consent pack from school after the summer holidays.
The vaccines are given between September and December.
What if my child is ill on the day?
Your child should not have the vaccine if they’re very unwell – for example, if they have a fever, diarrhoea or vomiting.
If your child has asthma and it is worse than usual in the three days before the vaccine is due to be given, contact your local immunisation team as they may be able to receive the injectable form of the vaccine instead.
What if my child misses their flu vaccine?
If your child was given a flu vaccination appointment and you want to rearrange this, or if your child missed their flu vaccination at school, please contact your local NHS immunisation team.
Contact details can also be found on your child’s invitation letter.
Is the vaccine safe?
Dr Claire Cameron, Consultant in Health Protection, says: “Flu can be really serious for young children, even if they are usually healthy.
“Almost 1,900 children in Scotland were hospitalised as a result of catching flu last year – that’s the same as 170 football teams.
“Flu spreads really easily among two to five year olds because, they play closely together and often touch their faces, making it easy for the virus to enter their bodies.
“Getting them vaccinated against flu protects them – and helps protect others around them, like parents, carers, grandparents, siblings, pals and anyone else they’re in contact with.
“If they stay well, they can keep going to nursery and their activities and nobody needs to take time off work to look after them.
“Most children are given the vaccine as a nasal spray, which is easy, quick, safe and painless – just a wee scoosh up the nose.”
Dr Claire Cameron, Consultant in Health Protection, says: “Flu can be really serious for young children, even if they are usually healthy.
“Almost 1,900 children in Scotland were hospitalised as a result of catching flu last year – that’s the same as 170 football teams.
“Flu spreads really easily among two to five year olds because, they play closely together and often touch their faces, making it easy for the virus to enter their bodies.
“Getting them vaccinated against flu protects them – and helps protect others around them, like parents, carers, grandparents, siblings, pals and anyone else they’re in contact with.
“If they stay well, they can keep going to nursery and their activities and nobody needs to take time off work to look after them.
“Most children are given the vaccine as a nasal spray, which is easy, quick, safe and painless – just a wee scoosh up the nose.”
1,900 children
170 football teams
Thats the same as
Last year almost
2 to the end of secondary school
are offered the flu vaccine
Every Autumn children and young people aged
were hospitalised from flu
Easy, quick, safe and painless – just a wee scoosh up the nose.
FLU IN NUMBERS
Look out for a letter in the post – or your child’s schoolbag – about the vaccine.
It’s the safest and easiest way to help protect your child from flu this winter.
What is Flu?
Flu is a common infectious virus which can be serious, even for healthy children.
It spreads through the air when people cough or sneeze, or touch surfaces where it has landed and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
Flu symptoms are worse than a normal cold and can last up to seven days.
They may include fever and chills, aching muscles and joints, headaches, a runny or blocked nose, cough and sore throat and feeling very tired and weak.
In some cases, flu can lead to complications, including bronchitis and pneumonia, as well as middle-ear infections, sickness and diarrhoea.
And it can be even more serious for children with health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or a weakened immune system – and can make their condition worse.
In the worst cases, flu can lead to disability and even death.
Who is being offered the vaccine?
All children who are aged two to five years on September 1, 2025 – and not yet in school – can get the flu vaccine. They’ll receive a letter with an appointment or details of how to book one.
Primary and high school pupils are also offered the vaccine.
Why should I have my child vaccinated?
Even healthy children can become seriously ill from flu and in the worst cases, flu can lead to disability and even death.
Getting vaccinated will help prevent your child getting sick with flu and needing time off school and nursery.
It will also lower the risk of them spreading flu to friends and family who are at greater risk from flu – like grandparents or people with health conditions.
How is the vaccine given?
Children and young people from age two to end of secondary school are usually given the flu vaccine as a nasal spray and most will only need one dose.
It is quick and painless – just a wee scoosh – and there is no need to sniff or inhale. It just feels like a tickle in the nose.
The nasal spray is a more effective vaccine than the injected flu vaccine and is the preferred option.
Is the vaccine suitable for all children?
Some youngsters with certain health conditions, such as asthma or a heart condition, are eligible for the vaccine from the age of six months. These youngsters up to 2 years of age, will receive an injectable vaccine rather than the nasal spray.
There may also be children older than 2 years of age, with certain health conditions such as those with a weakened immune system, who should receive an injectable flu vaccine rather than the nasal spray.
Is the vaccine safe?
All medicines, including vaccines, are tested for safety and effectiveness before they’re allowed to be used.
The nasal spray vaccine has been used in Scotland for more than 10 years, with millions of doses given.
Is it true there is pork gelatine in the vaccine?
The nasal spray flu vaccine contains a highly processed form of pork gelatine, as well as a weakened form of the flu virus.
Many faith groups, including many Muslim and Jewish communities, have approved the use of vaccines containing gelatine. If you do not accept the use of gelatine in medical products, an alternative injectable vaccine is available.
Are there any side effects?
As with all medicines, the flu vaccine can cause side effects including a headache and muscle aches, a blocked or runny nose, reduced appetite and feeling weak.
But these symptoms are usually mild and go away after a couple of days and you do not need to do anything about them.
The side effects are much less serious than flu or the complications flu can cause.
If your child had the injectable vaccine instead of the nasal spray, they might experience similar side effects, except for the blocked or runny nose.
They may also have slight swelling, redness or tenderness at the site where the injection was given.
Can the flu vaccine give my child flu?
No. The virus in the vaccine has been weakened so it doesn’t cause flu but simply helps build up your child’s immunity to it.
It should start to protect most children about 10 to 14 days after they receive their vaccination.
Why does my child need the flu vaccine every year?
Flu viruses are constantly changing, so a different vaccine has to be made every year to ensure the best protection against flu.
What do I need to do now?
If your child is not yet at school, look out for a letter and leaflet in the post inviting them to an appointment, or with details on how to book one.
All children and young people in primary school and high school will receive a consent pack from school after the summer holidays.
The vaccines are given between September and December.
What if my child is ill on the day?
Your child should not have the vaccine if they’re very unwell – for example, if they have a fever, diarrhoea or vomiting.
If your child has asthma and it is worse than usual in the three days before the vaccine is due to be given, contact your local immunisation team as they may be able to receive the injectable form of the vaccine instead.
What if my child misses their flu vaccine?
If your child was given a flu vaccination appointment and you want to rearrange this, or if your child missed their flu vaccination at school, please contact your local NHS immunisation team.
Contact details can also be found on your child’s invitation letter.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
NHSINFORM.SCOT/CHILDFLU