CHILDREN across south Essex are to be offered flu vaccine.

Two schools in the Southend area are among the first in the region to try a new flu vaccination programme, using a nasal spray.

Children from Heycroft Primary, Eastwood, and St Mary’s Church of England Primary, Southend, will line up for the first doses of the vaccine, which is being given to 33,000 pupils across Southend, Castle Point and Rochford under the new the Fluenz vaccination scheme.

The nasal spray vaccine is easily administered and available to primary school children, aged four to 11. They will be offered the vaccination at school, with a number of community sessions for those children who were unable to get it at school.

Andrew Palmer, Heycroft Primary School headteacher, said: “We’ve had a parents’ meeting about it, which was excellent.

About 100 parents turned up and they were given a presentation about it.

“The group is coming back to give an assembly to the children next week, and then the vaccinations will start after that. The idea behind it is that it’s as simple and easy as possible.

“It’s based on a American model which they’ve been running for about ten years. It’s very effective.

“We’re excited to be part of it and it seems parents are positive about it.”

Dr Marimuthu Velmurugan, a GP in Westcliff, pictured, said: “It’s an excellent idea and it’s great for the children who will be getting it. It will keep them healthy and will be non-disruptive to their school day.

“It’s painless and is very successful. Children generally don’t like needles, so this is non intrusive, painless and easy to administer. It cannot fail.”