PUPILS at an Alexandria primary school are being vaccinated against Hepatitis A.

Public health experts from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recommended all children and staff get the jab as a precaution after one pupil got ill.

Public health consultant Gillian Penrice sought to re-assure parents and emphasised that the action being taken at St Mary’s Primary is a precautionary measure, and the likelihood of children becoming unwell due to Hepatitis A infection is low.

Parents and carers of the school, which has nearly 200 pupils, were notified of the vaccination programme on Monday.

The NHS said Hepatitis A is usually a short-term illness and is very rarely serious. The symptoms of Hepatitis A include fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and nausea or vomiting, and it can sometimes lead to yellowing of the skin and eyes due to inflammation of the liver.

Dr Penrice said: “In children, the infection is often very mild and may cause no symptoms at all. This means that children can be carrying Hepatitis A and pass it on to adults, who are more at risk of complications.

“Infection with Hepatitis A can be caused by consuming contaminated food or water. The virus can also spread from someone with the infection to others in the same environment, for example if they share toilets, or by eating food touched by a person with the infection.

“The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde public health team, together with Health Protection Scotland and West Dunbartonshire Council, have reviewed the risk related to the school.

“Our investigations have not identified a suspected source of the infection.

"Therefore, as a precaution, we are recommending a Hepatitis A vaccination for all primary school children who attend. The vaccine reduces the risk of being infected after being in contact with someone who has the infection.”

Read more: Jackie Baillie calls for hygiene review at St Mary's Primary after Hepatitis scare

A vaccination session will take place in the school this Friday, February 1.

Dr Penrice added: “I wish to emphasise that this action is being taken as a precautionary measure, and the likelihood of pupils becoming unwell due to Hepatitis A infection is low.

"However, taking up this offer of vaccination may help to provide peace of mind by ensuring each child is personally protected.

“If anyone in your family develops any of the symptoms outlined in the information provided, please contact your GP or, if it is out of hours, call NHS 24 on telephone 111.”

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council, said: "Following confirmation that a pupil at St Mary's Primary Alexandria has been diagnosed with the Hepatitis A infection, as a precaution and on the advice of Public Health Department, all pupils and staff at the school are being offered vaccinations.

"This appears to be an isolated case and no other instances have been identified.  Public Health Department has confirmed the risk to pupils, staff and the wider community is low.

Parents and carers of children at the school have been issued with information and guidance to further reassure them."

A Q&A drop-in session at the school has been organised for Tuesday, January 29 from 3-4pm.