LONDON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The largest ever school-based vaccination program in England was announced Thursday by health officials.
Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England say three million children, aged between two and six, are to be offered winter flu vaccine for the first time.
The decision to extend the vaccine to children is part of a major national campaign to help people stay well over the winter months.
This year's Stay Well This Winter campaign begins with a national flu vaccination program for children.
For the first time, the youngest primary school children in 17,000 schools will be eligible to receive the free nasal spray vaccine, making this the largest school-based vaccination program ever in England.
The adult flu vaccine will also be offered for free to people in groups at particular risk of infection and complications from flu, including pregnant women, those aged 65 or over, people under 65 with long-term condition, and people who are the main care-givers for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if they are ill
England's Chief Medical Officer Prof. Dame Sally Davies, said: "Let me be crystal clear -- flu kills. For many people it is an unpleasant illness but for the most vulnerable in society it is extremely dangerous and can be lethal. I would urge everyone who is offered the vaccine free on the NHS to get vaccinated."
A pilot program last year showed vaccinating children had dual benefit: as well as protecting them from flu, it also protects others, such as parent, grandparents and siblings, as children are "super spreaders" and are much more likely to infect others.
Parents are being encouraged to complete consent forms to allow immunization teams to give the nasal spray flu vaccine to their children.
Prof. Paul Cosford, director for Health Protection and Medical Director at PHE, told parents: "If you have children aged 2, 3 or 4, or in school years 1 and 2, don't put off taking up their free flu vaccination this season. The nasal spray vaccination is quick, effective and painless, and remains the best way to help you and your family stay well this winter."
All frontline NHS staff will also be offered a free flu jab this season in order to protect themselves and patients from infection.
Last year, only 54 percent of staff were vaccinated. NHS leaders today encouraged them to take up this offer as part of their duty to protect patients and keep them safe.
