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Pop-up flu vaccination centres are appearing in sports halls, fire stations and even bowling alleys as the NHS tries to head off a possible flu epidemic this winter. And parents have been urged to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible, as 'an early start to the flu season' could see the virus 'spreading like wildfire' among school-age children. NHS England Chief Nursing Officer Duncan Burton said the NHS was acting after seeing an 'unusually early spike of cases' following a recent flu epidemic announcement in Japan and multiple cases across the Asia Pacific area, which could signal issues ahead. And he advised parents who might normally wait until their children were vaccinated at school to take advantage of this week's half-term holiday to take them to special pop-up centres. 'This year, we are seeing an early start to the flu season, particularly in school-age children,' he told Radio 4's Today programme, 'And we have had clear warning signs from Asia Pacific and from Japan. 'We are making it much easier this year for parents to vaccinate their children. There is a range of pop-up clinics which are happening across the country in places like bowling alleys and fire stations and there are a range of ways you can get a vaccine.' NHS England confirmed pop-up clinics will also be held in some areas on football pitches and in libraries and a mobile vaccination van will also be used. Mr Burton also warned that anyone eligible for the flu vaccine, including the over 65s, people working in health and social care, pregnant women and immuno-compromised people should get a vaccination 'as early as possible'. And he reassured anxious parents that pharmacies would be able to provide needle-free vaccinations for toddlers in the form of a nasal spray, which was 'quick, easy and safe'. 'It is a very simple spray up the nose in case people are worried. It is really important to have your child vaccinated,' he stressed. 'There are 4000 pharmacies that will be providing flu vaccines for toddlers and you can find out where they are from the NHS app or by calling 119 if you don't know where your local one is.' And he advised those who had already fallen victim to the virus to stay at home and 'look after themselves' to help prevent spreading it to others. NHS England has announced that more than 10 million vaccines have already been administered in their latest vaccination campaign, including nearly 1.5 million vaccinations to school-aged children and over 300,000 to eligible two and three-year-olds.
