Flu vaccinations are being offered to the island’s primary schoolchildren for the first time this year.

For many years the free vaccination programme has included over 65s, pregnant women and those, including children, with underlying clinical conditions.

These groups are all considered at high risk of catching flu and are encouraged to get their jab.

But under the new healthy schoolchildren vaccination programme starting on Thursday next week, this is being extended to all children between the ages of two and 10 years old.

Sam Kneen, a specialist community public health nurse, said: ’We know flu can be an unpleasant illness no matter what age you are.

’At best if children catch it they are usually off school for a few days but for some children it can cause serious health complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia which may result in hospital treatment.’

She said the introduction of the childhood flu programme was planned long before Covid.

’But the fact that we are in the middle of a pandemic brings added impetus to protect help vulnerable people from seasonal flu,’ she said.

She said this will also protect health services during the busy winter months.

Ms Kneen explained that the vaccine offered to children does not involve a needle as it is given as a simple nasal spray, with 0.1ml administered into each nostril.

’It’s quick, easy and painless,’ she said.

The vaccinations has been given to children in UK schools since 2013 and is also used in many other countries worldwide.

’As such it has been given to millions of children, we know the vaccine is safe and effective,’ she said.

Getting your children vaccinated helps protect them but also their family and wider community as the likelihood of their spreading the virus is greatly reduced.

Children under the age of five have the highest rates of hospital admission due to flu. Last year 34 children were admitted to Noble’s Hospital with flu.

Children aged two, three or four will have the jab at the GP surgery, while primary school children will have their vaccination at school.

Consent forms were sent to parents over the summer but you can get consent forms from schools or online at www.gov.im/childhoodflu.

The programme starts next Thursday and will be visiting all island schools over the coming weeks.

Special sessions will be held for home educated children.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ’Protecting vulnerable groups against winter flu is one of the most important ways of saving lives and reducing hospital admissions during the winter months.’