Thursday 29 September 2022
The influenza (flu) vaccine is now on island which means that all those aged 50 and over, those who are classed as being at risk from an influenza infection and children and young people aged from two to those in Year 11 at school, will now receive an offer of an influenza vaccine.
These vaccinations will be provided free of charge to those eligible regardless of where they receive them (Community Vaccination Centre, GP Practice or via the School Nurse Team).
Anyone who receives an invitation for a COVID-19 booster vaccination will be offered a flu vaccine whether they attend their Primary Care practice or the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) at Raymond Falla House. Residents in Alderney will continue to be able to receive their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations at the Island Medical Centre.
Anyone who has already had a COVID-19 booster and is eligible for a flu vaccine should contact their Primary Care practice to make an appointment. The CVC will only administer flu vaccines alongside COVID-19 vaccines and are unable to offer appointments for flu alone.
Children's annual flu vaccination programme
The flu vaccinations for children and young people who are of school age will be provided by the School Nurse team as normal in school.
Young children who have not yet started school - aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022 - are eligible for a seasonal influenza vaccine and this is now available free of charge from your GP practice. This vaccine is given as a nasal spray up each nostril. It is quick and painless, and no injection is needed.
You can book an appointment for your child's free vaccine by contacting your GP surgery. There is limited stock of the nasal flu vaccine, and we will not have any vaccine available after the 23rd of December, so we recommend you book the appointment as soon as possible.
We are encouraging all families to take up this offer, as flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children, in some cases leading to serious problems such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Immunising children against flu not only protects them, but also reduces the risk of them passing flu to their parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family members.
