MORE young children will be offered the flu vaccine this autumn as the NHS rolls out an extended vaccination programme across Worcestershire.

Parents with children in school years 1 and 2 (aged five to seven) have been asked to consent to their child being given the flu vaccine, which is offered via a spray up the nose, at their school.

This is an extension of last year's programme which saw pre-schoolers aged two, three and four offered the vaccine via their GPs along with other groups viewed as being at higher-risk from the flu.

However, last year, children in years 7 and 8 in the county also received the vaccine via doctors and pharmacies as part of a pilot scheme.

A spokesman from Public Health England said that aspect of scheme will not be repeated and the immunisation programme would focus instead on younger children.

She said: "We are not offering it to the older children this year.

"It has been decided to concentrate on younger children because they are not as good at things like washing their hands after sneezing so it is better to target them."

The theory is that protecting children in this way will protect also help to protect others in their family.

Areas where the flu vaccine has previously been given to children have reported less flu in all age groups of the population.

The flu vaccine is matched to the strain of the virus expected to be circulating each year.

However, last year's flu vaccine was not a good match and therefore proved not as effective as expected.

Dr Carl Ellson, chief clinical officer for NHS South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It’s important that as many people as possible who are in the main at risk groups get vaccinated against flu.

“This winter the flu vaccine is being made available to children in school year’s one and two, as part of the pre-planned extension of the national flu programme for 2015/16.

"This is as well as being offered to children aged two, three and four.

“Other people recommended to have the jab are people aged over 65, women who are pregnant and anyone with a serious medical condition, such as a heart complaint, lung disease such as asthma, liver disease or have suffered a stroke.”

The vaccine will be offered from October.

*Will you be taking up the flu vaccine for your child? Please comment below or call 01905 742244