The NHS is currently urging parents of secondary school-aged children to take up the flu vaccine amid rising cases.

Secondary school flu vaccinations has started in the North West this December with school vaccination teams already taking the vaccine out to pupils to try to protect them this winter.

The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency shows rates of hospitalisation for the flu have risen by more than 14 per cent in the North West in the past week.

The health service is once again offering the flu vaccine, which is usually given to children as a nasal spray, to secondary school-aged children in years 7 to 9 through visits to schools throughout December and January.

The NHS said children and young people can catch and spread the flu very easily, and can be a very unpleasant illness for children.

In some circumstances, the flu can lead to more serious illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis which can then be spread to more vulnerable groups.

Parents of children in school years 7 to 9 will receive a consent form inviting them to take up the opportunity and are being encouraged to return the forms to school as soon as possible.

Tricia Spedding, head of public health at NHS England, North West, who leads the regional flu vaccination programme, said: “In the North West, we have seen flu-related hospitalisations rising week on week and the flu vaccine is our best defence to keep us safe this winter.

“The nasal spray is quick and painless, and should your child catch the flu after having it, the illness is less likely to make them seriously unwell.

"Any side effects will be very mild and shouldn’t last more than a day or so.

“Vaccination teams will be visiting schools across the region throughout December and into the new year and I would urge the parents of eligible secondary school-aged children to return their consent forms and take up the offer when they visit your child’s school.”