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Birmingham kids urged to become Flu Busters!

Pupils from a Birmingham primary school have starred in a cheeky child-friendly film urging parents to protect their youngsters from the flu this winter.

Health bosses enlisted the help of pupils at Kings Norton Primary School to narrate the short animated promo, including a memorable whole-class reminder that, with this method of receiving the vaccine, you “stick it up your nose!”.

Kings Norton primary was chosen to take part after a flu outbreak in winter 2014/15 forced it to close for several days.

In the autumn/winter of 2016/17 the annual nasal spray flu vaccine will be available for children aged two, three and four years old and children in school Years 1, 2 and 3 as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme. 

The Birmingham Community Healthcare immunisation team is administering the vaccine to all children in school years 1, 2 and 3 for whom consent has been given.

nasal flu vaccination at Kings Norton Primary

Three reasons to make sure your child gets the nasal winter flu vaccine:

  • If a child gets flu, they won't be able to attend school for several days and will miss learning. They will need to be cared for at home and parents or carers may have to take time off work to look after them.
  • Protecting children can stop the flu spreading to other children and to other members of a family and community - most importantly, those infants and older adults for whom the flu virus might present particular risks.
  • It is painless, quick and easy to give and has been used in several other countries for several years.

Gerry Hudson, headteacher Starbank School

Gerry Hudson, headteacher of Starbank School in Small Heath, Birmingham is among heads across the city who are backing the Flu Busters campaign.

"One knows, working in a very busy school, how easily viruses are spread," said Gerry.

"It's certainly a concern for us because it affects children's attendance, they miss learning and they may pass it on to others. There's also the issue of taking the virus home to elderly relatives who may have health conditions where the flu causes them even more problems.

"One of the things I like about the new suggestion is the nasal spray which the children are likely to find less invasive than having an injection."


www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/imms