PARENTS who have children aged between two and five are being urged to join the fight against flu this winter.

Health chiefs have stressed that GP surgeries across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire are providing the free nasal flu jab in a bid to ensure youngsters are protected.

Primary school children will receive a vaccination at school.

By reducing transmission of the virus, the programme is expected to eventually prevent an estimated additional 200 deaths per year, as well as around 1,100 hospitalisations from flu.

Public health minister Aileen Campbell said: “We’re urging all parents across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire to join the fight against flu by getting their children vaccinated as early as possible this winter.

“The free nasal vaccine only takes a few minutes and can protect your child from flu for up to a year, so it really is the best defence against the virus, which can be extremely infectious and serious.

“The nasal spray is painless, has an excellent safety record and it doesn’t cause flu.”

Ms Campbell added: “Even the healthiest of children can fall seriously ill from flu, so it’s really important that they get their vaccine at their GP practice or at school.

“This will help to prevent the spread of the virus to family, friends and others around them.”

An annual flu vaccine is also offered from October onwards for everyone aged 65 and over, as well as pregnant women, all those with a serious health condition and all healthcare workers.

Children in secondary school are not currently included in the programme. However, kids who have a serious health condition are offered the flu vaccine from the age of six months.

For more about the childhood flu vaccine and its benefits, visit immunisationscotland.org.uk/childflu or call NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88.