By Gurdip Thandi,Local Democracy Reporter

Copyright birminghammail

Children across the West Midlands are to be offered free flu vaccines in a bid to stop them catching more serious illnesses. Parents in Birmingham , Solihull and the Black Country will be asked to give consent to their children being given protection at their schools in a bid to stop the spread of the virus. NHS bosses said the influenza virus, as well as being highly infectious, can cause serious illnesses in children, such as sepsis and pneumonia. READ MORE: Moves to protect women and girls on buses revealed amid fears over waiting at stops All children from reception to year 11, including those who are home educated, are eligible for the vaccination again this year. For most children, the vaccine will be given via a nasal spray. For children who require a pork gelatine-free alternative, or who are unable to have the nasal spray for medical reasons, an injectable vaccination is available on request. Across the Black Country, vaccinations will be given by healthcare professionals from Vaccination UK in schools. In Birmingham and Solihull, vaccinations will be provided in schools by Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Catch up clinics will also be available at various locations across the Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull for those unable to have the vaccine in school. Children aged two and three years, as well as those with long-term health conditions, will be able to get their flu vaccine at their GP practice or a local pharmacy that offers NHS children’s flu vaccination from 1 October 2025. Dr Fiona Rose, local GP and Clinical Director for Quality and Safety for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Flu can be an unpleasant illness for children and sometimes causes serious complications. “The good news is that vaccination greatly reduces the risk and protects the vaccinated person and those around them. “Children can catch and spread flu easily so vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable such as babies and older people.” Dr Anand Chitnis, local GP and Clinical Director for North Solihull Primary Care Network, said: “This is an important opportunity to protect our children from flu and its consequences – especially children with asthma and other medical conditions. “Many will not get flu as a result, and those that do will often have much milder symptoms. “Protecting our children also helps reduce the spread to other vulnerable people, such as grandparents. “We know people don’t like needles, so the good news is that this protection is given by nasal spray. It is proven to be safe and effective. “An injectable vaccine is available to those who cannot have the nasal spray due to medical reasons, or if you would prefer a version with no pork products.”