SCHOOL nurses across the borough are keeping schoolchildren safe from flu.

Nurses have been supporting the national childhood vaccination programme this winter by vaccinating 4,801 primary schoolchildren in years one and two against flu.

This equates to 63 per cent of children between the ages of five and seven being vaccinated against the virus by the School Nursing Service, which is run by Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Lisa Williams, clinical public health nurse specialist, said: “By vaccinating children it not only helps prevent them from catching the virus but it also prevents them from transmitting flu to any relatives, who may be pregnant, under two years old, elderly or have a long term condition.”

Every school in the borough now has a named school nurse who can advise and support both children and their families on a range of issues, from bed wetting to drug abuse.

Lisa said: “Our school nurses help children, young people, parents, carers and teachers with a range of health-related issues, offering confidential and non-judgemental support, information and referrals.”

For more information about school nurses visit bridgewater.nhs.uk/schoolnursing or call 01942 482649.