PRIMARY pupils in Clydebank are being sent home from school with flu immunisation consent packs in the coming days.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said they were getting ready for this year’s immunisation programme.

Their team will visit nine primary schools every day - a total of 343 across the region - from October 7 as they look to protect 90,000 youngsters against flu.

Parents or carers are being asked to complete the forms and return them within seven days.

The flu vaccines are given by painless nasal sprays, and those who can’t have them for medical or religious reasons can get them asa n injection.

Children have the highest flu attack rates and are more likely to pass it on to family, friends and others.

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Linda de Caestecker, NHSGGC’s director of public health, said: “It may seem very early to be thinking about flu just after the summer holidays, however we want to immunise as many children – one of the most vulnerable groups - as possible.

“Vaccinating 90,000 primary children across Greater Glasgow and Clyde, including West Dunbartonshire, over a nine week period is a massive operation for our teams. However, it is hugely important as the vaccine is the best protection we have against an unpredictable virus which causes severe illness and deaths each year.

“If a primary pupil was immunised against flu last year it is important they get the vaccine again this year, as the virus changes every year.

“I’d urge parents and carers to return the completed consent form as soon as possible. Flu needs to be taken seriously.”