YOUNGSTERS are being given an alternative to the needle this autumn as a pilot scheme for flu vaccinations administered via a nasal spray is being rolled out through Herefordshire.

A sample of primary school students will be again be offered the Fluenz vaccinations, and this month the scheme is being extended to secondary school pupils in years seven and eight.

Nasal spray flu vaccines have been used in the United States for more than 10 years.

And youngsters are being given the chance to try it here ahead of the more illness-prone winter months because of the speed of which the virus can spread in a school setting.

The county is among the first to benefit from the Fluenz immunisation, expected to introduced nationally over the next few years.

Any parents interested in getting their child immunised can do so free of charge at their child’s GP and from many pharmacies across Herefordshire.

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/child-flu-vaccine.aspx.