Appeal to North Yorkshire teenagers to help prevent the spread of flu

It is estimated that around 8,000 people a year die across the country because of flu and tens of thousands are admitted to hospital - with very young children and the elderly most at risk.

Children are the main transmitters of the viral infection which causes fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain and fatigue.

They also remain contagious for longer than adults, with around ten per cent infected in an average flu season although this can vary from year to year.

Now as part of the battle to find the best way of combating the infection, secondary schools across North Yorkshire are involved in a pilot project, along with a number of other schools in Yorkshire and Humberside, to vaccinate 11 to 13 year olds to prevent them getting the infection and more crucially from passing it on.

Through schools the parents of 11,488 eligible children in the county will be asked to have the vaccine, which comes in the form of a nasal spray.

Don MacKenzie, executive member for public health and prevention, said:” We want to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents and vaccinating our young people against what can be a serious illness for some will benefit not only the children involved, but also their families by helping to reduce the likelihood of spread.

"With hundreds of people seeing their GP with flu each year, this vaccination will help to reduce the impact on those suffering with symptoms.

"The pilot in secondary schools in North Yorkshire will help to find the best way of reaching this younger generation and providing an efficient and effective vaccination programme."

Director of Public Health for North Yorkshire, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, added: "Flu can be a serious illness for some and can be prevented by having the flu vaccine. Children who get immunised will not only benefit themselves, but will also help to reduce the spread to other members of their families.

For more information go to www.northyorks.gov.uk