Every secondary school pupil in England will be offered a free flu vaccine in September, the government announced today. A total of three million pupils will be offered a nasal spray vaccination as the government bids to halt a rise in excess deaths from influenza.
Schoolchildren in years 7 to 11 will be offered the vaccination from September 1. Officials hope that the change will both help the children have greater resistance and also indirectly protect more vulnerable members of society including grandparents from being exposed to the virus.
Health Minister, Maria Caulfield, said: “Expanding the offer of flu vaccination to all secondary school pupils this winter will provide millions of young people with extra protection. Importantly, this will also reduce the risk of transmission to more vulnerable groups, including the elderly, reducing hospitalisations and freeing up bed capacity across the NHS.
“Last winter we saw the devastating impact this illness can have, so it is important all pupils take up the offer of the flu vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones from falling unwell.”
Recent interim analysis of the 2022/23 flu season from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicated that excess deaths in England associated with flu infection were higher (14,500) than the average figure (13,500) for the five years before the pandemic.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), has highlighted the benefits of directly protecting school-aged children from flu, and the indirect benefits to the wider population. All primary school children and infants aged 2 and 3 will also be offered the flu vaccine, as previously announced in May.
Eligible groups are being urged to take up the offer from September before the flu season begins, to give themselves the best possible protection in winter. NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening, Steve Russell, said: “Last winter we saw how quickly flu can spread within communities, so I’m pleased to see the flu vaccination offer being extended to secondary school children in the autumn term.
“The vaccine offers vital protection against flu which can cause nasty symptoms, and I would urge all young people and parents to make sure they join millions of others who get vaccinated each year to take up the offer when they can – it’s quick, easy and offered in schools, so there’s really no reason to delay when you receive the offer.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation, UKHSA, said: “Getting the flu vaccine offers the best protection against the virus. It is important everyone eligible takes up the offer, including secondary school pupils as they can fall very sick. Last year we saw some teenagers hospitalised with flu.
“Expanding the vaccination to secondary school pupils will help to reduce flu from being spread, protecting their friends and family and easing the burden on the NHS.” Schools Minister, Nick Gibb, said: “Following the disruption caused by the pandemic, it’s important that children are able to attend school as much as possible.
“We know that school attendance levels drop over the winter months due to illness, which is why today’s announcement will not only protect children’s health but also their education.”
Parents and young people are asked to read the patient information in advance of arriving for their appointment. For those not attending school, such as those home schooled, parents and young people can book in for their flu vaccine with their GP or at a community clinic
Full list of those eligible for a free flu vaccine in the 2023/24 season:
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, chapter 19 (Influenza))
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- all secondary school pupils in Years 7 to 11
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants
