Staying well this winter - School, Education and Setting Guidance
We are coming into winter, the spread of a range of respiratory viruses such as flu, pneumonia and COVID-19 is likely to increase. Therefore, we would like to remind staff and pupil to take precautions to protect themselves this winter such as practicing good hygiene and having the flu vaccine if they are eligible for it.
We encourange good hand hygiene, 'catch it, bin it, kill it' and promote children covering their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze.
Is my child too ill for school?
Please click on the nhs logo which links to further information and guidance.
Respiratory infections?
Based on Government advice there is no requirement for most people to test for COVID-19. If you have respiratory symptoms, have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to come to school, then please stay at home and avoid contact with other people, in particular those who may be vulnerable to infection. You should stay at home until you no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) or until you no longer feel unwell. If you symptoms worsen, then seek medical advice and contact NHS 111. Please see the following guidance: People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
What if a child or young person tests positive for COVID-19?
If a child has tested postive for COVID-19 or you are under 18 years old; try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day the test was taken. It is particularly important to avoid close contact with anyone who you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell if they are infected with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.
What do I do if an adult tests positive for COVID-19?
If an adult has tested postive for COVID-19 and are unwell, the advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until 5 days after the day the test was taken (please see guidance: How to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at home) It is particularly important to avoid close contact with anyone who you It is particularly important to avoid close contact with anyone who you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell if they are infected with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections for 10 days after the day you took your test. Please see guidance: How to treat COVID-19 symptoms at home.
Which children and young people are eligible for Children's Flu Vaccination Programme this year?
Children and young people are offered the nasal spray vaccine flu vaccine for free under the NHS flue programme. those children and young people who are eligible for the free flu vaccine
Which children and young people are eligible for the Children’s Flu Vaccination Programme this
year?
Children and young people are offered the nasal spray flu vaccine for free under the NHS flu
programme. Those children and young people who are eligible for the free flu vaccine include:
• Children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023 (born between 1 September 2019 and 31
August 2021)
• All primary school aged children (Reception to Year 6)
• Some secondary school aged children (Year 7 to Year 11)
• children aged 2 to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions
• Child aged between 6 months and 2 years and has a long-term health condition that makes
them at higher risk from flu, they'll be offered a flu vaccine injection instead of the nasal
spray. This is because the nasal spray is not licensed for children under 2 years old.
The nasal spray vaccine offers the best protection for children aged 2 to 17 years. Children and
young people will be offered a flu vaccine injection if the nasal spray vaccine is not suitable for them.
Injected flu vaccines are also safe and effective. Please see guidance for more information: Child flu
vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
You can get the flu vaccine at:
• Your GP surgery
• A pharmacy offering the service
• School (this was offered in school in November), community clinic or GP surgery for children, please see Where children can get the flu vaccine.
