Flu vaccination for primary school children in years 1, 2 and 3
NHS England - South (South West)
South West House
Blackbrook Park
Taunton
TA1 2PX
28 June 2016
From: James Bolt | Head of Public Health, NHS England - South (South West)
Dear Head teacher,
Flu vaccination for primary school children in years 1, 2 and 3
In October 2016, all children in school Years 1, 2 and 3 across England will be offered a free flu vaccination in the form of a nasal spray. This is a government funded extension to last year’s programme which was provided just to Year 1 and 2 children. Last year within the Devon and Plymouth Local Authority areas the vaccinations for children in Year 1 and 2 were administered through a contract with local GP practices. However, there is strong evidence that higher uptake rates and greater levels of community protection are achieved over a shorter period of time if the vaccinations are delivered in school based settings. Sessions held in schools have also been found to be more acceptable to children and parents and less disruptive to education than provision at external sites. Areas which had school based programmes in 2015/16 also experienced fewer absences in both staff and pupils related to influenza infection.
Therefore, NHS England, working in partnership with Public Health England and the Local Authorities has undertaken a competitive tender to secure a two year contract for a school based model of delivery, commencing September/October 2016. All service providers admitted to the local competitive tender had to be accredited service providers for childhood influenza vaccinations as a prerequisite.
We are pleased to announce that Boots UK Ltd has been awarded a two year NHS contract and will be delivering the service on behalf of NHS England South (South West) through sessions held in schools across Devon and Plymouth Local Authority areas | To download 'Information for Headteachers' -> READ MORE
For further details please contact england.bnsssg.imms@nhs.net
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