Please be advised that there is a Childhood Flu Vaccination Programme for 2017-18 which will be implemented in the coming months.  An extract of letter received by EAC providing initial information on the Childhood Flu Vaccination Programme for 2017-18 can be seen below:

Childhood Flu Vaccination Programme 2017-18

Thank you very much for contributing to the successful childhood flu vaccination programme by supporting the work of the NHS to offer vaccination to all primary school children. Vaccine uptake rates confirm that the third year of the programme has been extremely successful with around 73% of primary school children vaccinated last year (increase of 1.2% in 2016/17). These high uptake rates confirm that the programme is now a well-established part of the routine childhood vaccination programme. This would not have been possible without the support of you and your staff.

This year’s programme will be the same as previously, i.e. children aged 2-5 years and not yet in school will be vaccinated at their GP, and primary school children will be vaccinated at school. We have agreed a management target for uptake rates of 75% for all primary school children. This reflects the huge success of the programme in schools and is an achievable target.

We continue to learn lessons based on feedback from Health Boards and schools to identify ways to improve delivery for all involved. We are working with Health Protection Scotland, representatives from the NHS Boards and from primary schools to ensure that the materials being delivered for use in the school are even clearer and more inclusive, enabling you to use them with even greater confidence. We are aware that holding the vaccination sessions in schools can be logistically challenging. NHS Health Board teams will work very closely with you to minimise any disruption to your schools and to assist with smooth delivery of sessions.

Once again thank you for your help in enabling us to provide this important protection to children in Scotland. We value your support and the part you play in helping to achieve a high uptake of the childhood flu vaccination.

Yours faithfully

Sarah Manson

Immunisation Policy Team