More than 37,000 children vaccinated against flu in Cumbria

A total of 37,936 children across Cumbria have been vaccinated against flu this season, with the programme achieving a 60% uptake.

The initiative, led by the School Aged Immunisation Service (SAIS) team from North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC), has surpassed the national targets set by NHS England of 50–55%.

The team began administering flu vaccines in September, managing to visit every school and education setting in the region despite a range of challenges including severe weather conditions, flu outbreaks, and high levels of pupil absence. In many cases, the team returned to schools multiple times to ensure that no child missed out.

Additional catch-up clinics have also been running, continuing into the New Year.

Helen Mattinson, Clinical Lead for SAIS, spoke about the dedication of the team: "The whole team are passionate and proactive in meeting the needs of our communities and we are continuously identifying ways to move the service forward to adapt to the needs of our community.

"The nurses work extremely hard to deliver the programme, however, they could not do this without the hard work of our valuable business support staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes. I am very proud to be part of such a wonderful team."

Amy Thompson, General Manager for the Women and Children’s Collaborative, also praised the team's efforts:

"The team have worked tenaciously, passionately, and always with a smile on their face to help protect the children and young people of Cumbria. Their commitment has ensured we not only met but exceeded expectations."

She added that the achievement is especially significant given the high number of flu cases in Cumbria this year, noting the importance of vaccination in curbing the spread of the virus.

For parents whose children missed their vaccination, or require additional support or alternative options like the injectable flu vaccine, SAIS is offering community clinics. More information and contact details can be found on the School Aged Immunisation Programme website via North Cumbria Integrated Care.