Vaccinations help protect children from serious infections, hospital stays and missed lessons.
To find out if your child has skipped any vaccines check their Red Book, or ask your GP practice if you are unsure.
You can book vaccination appointments:
- through your GP practice
- online at nhs.uk
- via the NHS App
- calling 119 for free
Alternatively you can go to a Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust community clinic. Visit the Trust's website for details here.
The flu vaccine is usually given to children as a quick and painless spray up the nose – without the need for an injection. If your child cannot have pork gelatine in medical products, an injected flu vaccine is available as an alternative.
Kent County Council Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, said: “School holidays are a really good time to catch children up on any vaccinations they’ve missed – and there’s lots of ways to book and local centres to attend so we hope parents and carers can find an option that fits in with busy family life.
“Protecting children from winter bugs and other infectious diseases reduces the risk of them losing valuable days at school and you needing to take time off work to care for them. It also helps safeguards vulnerable relatives and friends who could get very ill if they picked up a virus like flu.”
With flu case numbers currently twice as high among school children aged 5 to 14 years, health experts are particularly keen for parents and carers to ensure youngsters are up to date with their flu jabs.
“It is important that parents make sure children are protected as they can easily spread the illness among their friends and family”
Kate Langford, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Kent and Medway, said: “Flu vaccines are safe and effective. They're offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu and its complications.
“Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children, causing fever, stuffy nose, dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints and extreme tiredness.
“It is important that parents make sure children are protected as they can easily spread the illness among their friends and family.”
David Whiting, Medway Council’s Acting Director of Public Health, said: “Ensuring your child’s routine vaccinations are up to date is incredibly important, and as we move towards the winter months it’s important that they get their flu jab, too.
"Vaccination is one of the best tools we have to keep our loved ones safe, and I would encourage parents and carers whose children are eligible to book their appointment this half-term.”
- Find more information at www.GetVaccinatedNow.co.uk
