Fight flu with free vaccine

Parents of 2-5 year olds across Scotland are being encouraged to take advantage of the free flu vaccine in a bid to protect children from the virus this winter.

GP practices across Scotland are providing the nasal flu vaccine free of charge and Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell is calling on parents to get their children vaccinated before Christmas.

She said:

“Even the healthiest of children can fall seriously ill from flu, so it is vital they get their vaccine at their local GP practice to help protect their child and prevent the spread of the virus to family, friends and others around them

“The vaccine only takes a few minutes and can protect your child from flu for up to a year, so it really is the best defence against the virus which can be extremely infectious and serious. The nasal spray is painless, has an excellent safety record, and does not contain a live virus, so will not cause flu in your child.

“With only two weeks left until Christmas I am urging parents or guardians who haven’t yet taken their child to their local GP for the free nasal vaccine to do so as soon as possible.”