SAINT Flu Immunisation 2021/22

You have been sent to this consent website as your child is due to receive their annual nasal flu vaccination.

Last year, most children offered the vaccine in schools had the immunisation. The vaccination is free and recommended for all school aged children and will be given by a quick and simple spray up the nose.

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

Please complete the form even if you do not wish your child to receive the vaccination or if they have received it elsewhere.


Start here

Get to know your Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

We were the first NHS trust on the English mainland to provide community, mental health and acute hospital services. We work with health and social care partners in Somerset to ensure that we deliver outstanding services that meet the needs of our population.

Our trust was formed on 1 April 2020 when Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust merged. We provide community and mental health services across the whole of Somerset and acute hospital services in the north, west and centre of the county and beyond.

Working together we provide services including:

  • Services delivered in your own home such as Somerset’s Rapid Response service that cares for patients to support them during a period of crisis and avoided over 1,000 patient going to hospital in its first year
  • Primary care from three GP practices
  • A range of services from 13 community hospital including outpatient and diagnostic services, 190 inpatient beds and seven Minor Injuries Units.
  • A range of specialist mental health services
  • Specialist healthcare for adults with learning disabilities
  • Community dental health services
  • Regional, specialist and hospital services from Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton including medical and surgical care, maternity services and cancer treatment services.

As well as our school immunisation service, we run the integrated therapies service for children and young people needing speech and language therapy, physiotherapy or occupational therapy.

Our trust also provides child and adolescent mental health services for patients needing help with anxiety or depression, eating disorders, personality disorders and other mental health problems. We work with teachers, school staff and parents to improve the mental health and emotional well-being of our young people in secondary schools in Somerset.

For more information about these services please go to our website: www.somersetft.nhs.uk

Paperless for the planet

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

No paper means no risk of lost forms with personal data on them. The digital consent forms are quick to fill in and can be processed more efficiently than paper forms.

Consent made simple

Digital consents are processed efficiently and confidentially.

You will receive a confirmation email when you complete your consent which will allow you to download a copy of the consent form for your records.

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?

    Generally all school aged vaccinations are provided by the school immunisation team. The GP’s can vaccinate in certain circumstances, but usually only if the child has missed their vaccinations after the school year it was due.

    Occasionally, the team may request that vaccinations are given by the GP if it is thought to be more suitable.

  • What happens if I have missed the 'consent cut off date' but still want my child to be vaccinated?

    Whenever possible the team will provide a second vaccination opportunity, either in school or a community clinic. Please contact the team directly for further information.

  • 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:

    • swelling
    • redness
    • tenderness
    • development of a small lump at the injection site
    • 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 is not systemically unwell.

    If your child is not well enough to attend school, then our team will make arrangements to see them next time we visit. Generally if they are well enough to be in school, they are usually well enough to be vaccinated.

    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.

  • Why do you need previous vaccination dates?

    We only ask for this information if it is needed to ensure the correct intervals between vaccinations. Please note that we do not have access to your child’s GP records, so we may not be aware of their previous vaccination date unless you advise us.

  • 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 or high dose inhaled steroids.
    • 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.
    • 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.

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

    If you are unsure whether your child should get the injected vaccine or the nasal vaccine please check with the school immunisation team or your GP surgery.

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

    The injected vaccine is not being offered to healthy children as part of this programme.

    However, if your child is at high risk from flu due to one or more medical conditions or treatments and can’t have the nasal flu vaccine they should have the flu vaccine by injection.

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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. This email contains a link which allows you to download the consent form for your records. 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 somersetSAINT@somersetft.nhs.uk or call us on 0300 323 0032

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