CUMBRIAN parents are being reminded to make sure they take up the opportunity to vaccinate their primary school aged children to protect them against flu as part of a new pilot scheme.

The county was chosen as one of only a few areas to offer free nasal spray vaccination as part of the seasonal flu campaign.

Since the launch of the Cumbria pilot in September, there has been 12,414 fluenz vaccinations (nasal spray) given, an uptake of 34 per cent.

Dr Ken Lamden, from the Public Health England Cumbria & Lancashire Centre, said: “Symptoms of flu can be very unpleasant and can last for several days – flu can lead to more serious complications like pneumonia and bronchitis which need hospital treatment.

“We would urge parents of primary school aged children in Cumbria to take up the offer and protect their child this winter. There are still many children who are unprotected.”

“The vaccine will protect healthy children from flu, but will also help to reduce the spread of flu and thus protect many others, such as younger siblings, grandparents and those in the at risk groups.”

The vaccination is available via a number of pharmacies and GP surgeries across Cumbria. To find out where you can take your child visit www.cumbria.gov.uk/fluvaccine or call 01539 797887.

The introduction of the nasal spray flu vaccine is one of a number of new or amended vaccination programmes being introduced by Public Health England this year, in partnership with the Department of Health and NHS England.