Flu vaccination programme begins in Orkney

Children an adults in Orkney are being offered protection from flu as the vaccination programme rolls out at GP surgeries and schools throughout the county.

Over two million people in Scotland will be offered the vaccine, and for the first time, all parents of pre-school children in Orkney have been contacted and encouraged to make an appointment with their GP to get their child vaccinated, in a bid to increase overall vaccine uptake.

The free vaccination is being offered to people in Orkney with underlying health conditions, those who are pregnant or are older than 65.

Children between 2-11 years will be offered the nasal spray vaccination. Children aged 5-11 will be vaccinated in school, with those aged 2-5 offered the vaccination at their GP practice.

To find out more about the flu immunisation programme visit www.immunisationscotland.org.uk/flu or call NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.