Mass school-age flu vaccination clinics for Kent and Medway planned before Christmas

Now, the team at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) which provides the vaccine in schools is laying on extra weekend and evening clinics to vaccinate children aged from four to 11 who missed out.

Laura Jones, Clinical Immunisation Manager at KCHFT, said: “We think around 51,000 children in Kent and Medway have missed their vaccination either because the year group or bubble had been isolating on the day we came in, or parents did not provide online consent in time for the session. It’s vital that we complete as much of the school-age vaccination programme as possible before Christmas.

“By offering Saturday and after-school clinics, we can reach thousands of children who otherwise would not get the protection they need for themselves and their families at Christmas.”

The school-age flu vaccination programme runs from October through to February, however this year the NHS is hoping to complete the school-based clinics by Christmas. The programme has so far visited 487 schools across Kent and Medway and vaccinated nearly 73,000 children from seasonal flu.

There will be a ‘mega’ catch-up clinic at Strood Academy on Saturday, 12 December, where the team aims to vaccinate around 340 children in six hours.

The full list of community catch-up clinics can be found here: https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/immunisation-team/catch-immunisations-children-young-people-aged-19/