NHS England and Public Health England have identified this season an offer of inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) is also being made to children (Reception to Year 7) whose parents refuse live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) due to the porcine gelatine content, subject to vaccine availability.

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have been advised by commissioners that we can now approach parents to request expressions of interest with regards to an offer of inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) to children whose parents refuse live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) due to the porcine gelatine content.

The offer of this vaccination will be delivered in a clinic setting. This offer will be dependent on both vaccine availability and the capacity within the Immunisation Team to deliver this offer at short request.

We would be grateful if you could use your usual method of communication to advise any parents interested in their child receiving the alternative vaccination to contact the Immunisation Team on:

Tel: 0121 466 3440

This information will also be available on Immunisation Team flu website: https://www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/patients-public/children-and-young-people/services-parent-portal/immunisation-services/flu/

Many thanks for your ongoing support protecting individuals and the community against infectious disease.

Yours faithfully

Birmingham Immunisation Team