An Angus parent has criticised the flu vaccination programme at her child’s school after learning the jabs would not be delivered until a week before Christmas.
NHS Tayside’s immunisation team has postponed its session at Lochside Primary School in Montrose to December 18.
The parent, whose child is in primary one, said the date was so far through the winter that it seemed pointless to even hold it at all.
“Every parent I have spoken to has agreed it is too late,” said the mum, who asked not to be named.
“I think it should be at least done by November.
“A pharmacist told me that it takes a couple of weeks to take effect so you can be halfway through winter and into the new year before a child is immune.”
The parent said the Immunisation Scotland website stated that the vaccine would be given in schools between October and December, while the NHS UK page says the ideal time to be immunised is between October and early November.
“My issue is that if flu season starts in October and ends in March then why are the children at Lochside Primary School being put at risk for almost half of that period?” she asked.
“I know someone will be the last, but it should be done earlier.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside insisted the team had hoped to include Lochside in its programme earlier and said the date had to be re-arranged to fit in with the school’s schedule.
“NHS Tayside’s Immunisation Team delivers the school flu vaccination programme to all schools across Tayside,” she said.
“Schools are programmed in between the beginning of October until mid-December. The aim is to vaccinate pupils as quickly as possible within this timeframe and we would encourage parents to take up the offer of immunisation for their children at school.
“Due to school commitments on December 13, the date initially proposed for immunisations, it was agreed to carry out the vaccinations programme on a rescheduled date of December 18.”
