Nurses delivering school flu immunisation programme in Kent and Medway appeal for child-friendly scrubs

Nurses tasked with vaccinating children in Kent and Medway with this year's flu immunisation are appealing for donations of child-friendly scrubs.

More than 190,000 children aged between four and 12 will be offered a flu vaccine this year - in the form of a quick and painless nasal spray.

Scrubs with cartoon characters and child friendly patterns are needed for staff delivering the childhood flu immunisation programme
Scrubs with cartoon characters and child friendly patterns are needed for staff delivering the childhood flu immunisation programme

Immunisation nurses moving between the county's schools would not ordinarily be required to wear scrubs but because of the coronavirus pandemic, teams this year will be required to wear PPE.

Concerned that the sight of staff wearing personal protective equipment may be a bit worrying, particularly for younger pupils, the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is appealing for anyone with a crafting or sewing skill to consider making scrubs with child friendly characters on before the vaccination programme gets underway between October and December.

Thousands of children will be offered the flu spray as the NHS looks to manage flu season and coronavirus
Thousands of children will be offered the flu spray as the NHS looks to manage flu season and coronavirus

Laura Jones, Clinical Immunisation Manager said: “We have got a huge job on our hands this year with 190,000 children in Kent and Medway aged four to 12-years-old needing a flu vaccination between October and December.

“Immunisation nurses don’t usually wear scrubs, however, as we have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) this year, which can look a bit scary, we want to put the children at ease and thought some fun scrubs featuring friendly cartoon characters, like Disney or Marvel, would help them.

“During lockdown, lots of people started making homemade scrubs for NHS staff to wear – some of them were quite snazzy and we’re hoping crafty sewing stars will come to our aid once again.”

During the height of the pandemic volunteers were making scrubs for nurses to help support PPE supplies
During the height of the pandemic volunteers were making scrubs for nurses to help support PPE supplies

The team needs around 400 sets of scrubs and would appreciate sets in various sizes featuring fun fabrics such as those with Disney, Marvel or other cartoon characters on.

If you want to donate homemade scrubs to the Immunisations Service, please send them to Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust PPE store, 190 Upper Pemberton, Eureka Business Park, Ashford TN25 4AZ and mark your envelope ‘scrubs for imms’.

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