School Age Flu Immunisation 2024/25 - Book appointment

You have been sent this e-consent form as your child is eligible for a flu vaccination.

Most children and young people who are offered the vaccine in schools will have theirs. The vaccination is free and is simple to administer.

Read more about the nasal flu vaccine for primary school children here and secondary school children here.

If your child is unable to receive the vaccination in school, you can book an appointment for them in one of our community clinics. If you are unable to accept the porcine gelatine nasal spray you will be able to request the Injectable Flu vaccine when you book your appointment.


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Who we are

The Sirona care & health aim is to be there when you or your family or carer need us most and help you stay as independent as possible.

We look after adults and children at home and at school. Our thousands of staff work across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

We are very proud that our most recent Care Quality Commission rating for the care our staff provide is Outstanding.

A not-for-profit social enterprise, we are funded by the NHS and local authorities. NHS care is free at the point of delivery. We are committed to serving our communities as a Community Interest Company, our activities provide benefit to all members of the population of the areas we cover. For further information please visit Sirona care & health

Paperless for the planet

We believe in protecting the environment and this a clear way to reduce the use of paper.

Handling less paper will also reduce risk of infection and makes the process of consent easier for you, your child, schools and our team.

Consent made simple

You will receive a confirmation email when you complete your consent and you will also get a notification of your child’s vaccination status once they have been vaccinated by our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions.

Select question category:
  • Can I take my child to the GP for their vaccination?

    All school-aged vaccines are carried out by the Immunisation team. GPs may vaccinate in certain circumstances please contact the Immunisation Team to discuss your options. The Immunisation Team do offer community catch-up clinic sessions.

  • What if I change my mind about my child having their vaccination after I have submitted consent?

    It is important that you contact the Immunisation Team immediately and speak to a member of staff. We also advise that you contact the school if the vaccination session is planned within the next 72 hours.

  • What if my child does not attend school?

    The team will be happy to see your child in one of our community clinics. Please contact the team to discuss your requirements.

  • What if my child has a medical condition?

    There are very few children that cannot receive their vaccinations.

    However, if your child has a medical condition, it is possible that we will ask you or your child’s GP or consultant for further information to ensure it is safe for them to receive the vaccination at the current time.

  • What if my child is unwell following their vaccination?

    All vaccines can cause side effects but studies suggest they are generally mild and soon settle. Some people may experience:

    • Feeling or being sick
    • Headaches
    • Tiredness.

    If you are worried about your child you can telephone 111 for non-urgent medical advice or contact your GP practice. In an emergency please telephone 999. Further advice can be found at: www.nhs.uk.

    Call 111 for non-urgent medical advice and 999 in an emergency.

    Our team report any post vaccination side effects that we are aware of, so please contact the Immunisation Team if you feel that we need to report any reactions experienced by your child.

  • What if my child is unwell on the day of the vaccination?

    Vaccinations can safely be given as long as the child does not have an acute febrile illness. If your child is not in school then you will receive information to book a community catch-up clinic appointment.

    However, if your child is recovering from a chronic illness or recent infection, the nurse may decide to defer the vaccination until they are fully recovered. This is to ensure that any subsequent changes in their health are not wrongly attributed to the vaccination.

  • Where can I find out more information about vaccinations?

    You can find further information on the NHS choices website.

    Alternatively, you can speak to your GP, practice nurse or a member of the immunisation team.

  • Are there any children who shouldn’t have the nasal vaccine?

    Children who should not have the nasal vaccine include those:

    • who are currently wheezy or have been wheezy in the past three days (vaccination should be delayed until at least three days after the wheezing has stopped).
    • are severely asthmatic, i.e. being treated with oral steroids.
    • have severe egg allergy. Most children with egg allergy can be safely immunised with nasal flu vaccine. However, children with a history of severe egg allergy with anaphylaxis requiring hospitalisation should seek specialist advice.
    • are allergic to any other components of the vaccine.
    • have a condition, or are on treatment, that severely weakens their immune system or have someone in their household who needs isolation because they are severely immunosuppressed.

    As children with pre-existing medical conditions may be more vulnerable to complications of flu it is especially important that they are vaccinated.

  • Are there any side-effects of the vaccine?

    Children may develop a runny or blocked nose, headache, general tiredness and some loss of appetite. However, these are much less serious than developing flu or complications associated with flu.

    Serious side-effects are uncommon.

  • Can the vaccine cause flu?

    No, the vaccine cannot cause flu because the viruses in it have been weakened to prevent this from happening.

  • Does the nasal vaccine contain gelatine derived from pigs (porcine gelatine)?

    Yes. The nasal vaccine contains a highly processed form of gelatine (porcine gelatine), which is used in a range of many essential medicines. The gelatine helps to keep the vaccine viruses stable so that the vaccine provides the best protection against flu.

  • Can my child have the injected vaccine that doesn’t contain gelatine?

    Some faith groups accept the use of porcine gelatine in medical products.

    For further information about porcine gelatine and the nasal flu vaccine, see www.nhs.uk/child-flu-FAQ.

    If your child is unable to accept the vaccine due to the porcine gelatine content please complete the consent form stating this and you will receive information as to how to book in to one of our community clinics to receive the injected inactivated vaccine

  • How does the nasal spray work?

    The nasal spray contains viruses that have been weakened to prevent them from causing flu but will help your child to build up immunity. When your child comes into contact with flu viruses they will be better able to fight off the infection.

    The vaccine is absorbed quickly in the nose so, even if your child sneezes immediately after having had the spray, there’s no need to worry that it hasn’t worked.

  • How will the vaccine be given?

    For most children, it is given as a nasal spray.

  • What are the benefits of the vaccine?

    Having the vaccine will help protect your child from catching flu.

    It will also reduce the chance of others in your family, who could be at greater risk from flu, such as grandparents, those with long term health conditions, or siblings that are too young to be vaccinated, getting flu from your child.

  • Why do children need a Flu vaccination every year?

    The flu vaccine changes every winter to match the different type of flu circulating each year. For this reason, we recommend that your child is vaccinated against flu again this year, even if vaccinated last year.

  • Why should my child have the flu vaccine?

    Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children. It can last several days or more; causing fever, stuffy nose, dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints, and extreme tiredness.

    Some children can get a very high fever, sometimes without the usual flu symptoms, and may need to go to hospital for treatment. Serious complications of flu include a painful ear infection, acute bronchitis, and pneumonia.

  • Do I get a copy of my consent form?

    Once you have submitted the consent you will receive an email to let you know we have received it. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don't receive it.

  • How do I raise a technical support request?

    Please email us on support@riviam.zendesk.com. Please don't put any personal details in as this email is not for clinical issues.

  • What if I require the information in a different format?

    Please contact the immunisation team who will be able to assist.

Get in touch for more answers

If you still have questions about our service or immunisations, please get in touch with us using the information below.

Email us using sirona.sch-imms@nhs.net or call us on 0300 124 5515

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