Parents urged to make sure children have flu vaccine

The NHS says half term and Halloween mean there could be an increased chance of children catching a winter virus.

Most school-aged children will be offered their flu vaccination at school, while parents of two and three-year-olds, and of children in a clinical risk group, are encouraged to get protected this half term by making an appointment at their GP practices or local community pharmacy.

Available to all children, the vaccination has a dual role in offering protection from flu, while at the same time preventing little ones from passing the virus on to family members and other children.

Dr Barry Coakley, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset Integrated Care Boards Cluster said: “With the beginning of December only six or so weeks away, we want to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated.

"Now is a perfect time to ensure that any child getting vaccinated will be protected with enough time to build up a good immunity ahead of Christmas, New Year and the arrival of the really cold winter weather.

“For school-aged children the flu vaccine is usually given at school so it is important that parents return their consent forms promptly to ensure their child can receive the vaccination.

"For children aged two to three years old, and those with long term health conditions, parents can use half term as an opportunity to get protected.

“Every year, children are hospitalised from developing serious flu-related complications. The flu vaccination is a simple step that can make a real difference during a winter when respiratory viruses are circulating."

The child flu vaccine is usually given as a spray in each nostril and is a very quick and painless procedure. The vaccine will help protect children from flu and help to reduce the spread of flu to other children and family members such as parents and grandparents.

Local parent Dave said: "There's so many bugs going around nursery, we just didn't want to take the chance with flu. We made sure Enid understood all about it before going for her vaccination, by doing some role-playing games with her doctor's kit beforehand.

“The vaccination also reduces the chance of me having to take time off work during the winter months, so taking Enid for her flu vaccine is definitely a win-win for our family.”

 “We were worried Enid would be upset, but instead she said it smelt like strawberries!”

The NHS is also offering free Covid-19 vaccines for children who are immunosuppressed. Winter viruses can exacerbate existing long-term health conditions and can make it difficult for the immune system, which is already in a weakened state, to actually fight off the virus.

There are a number of dedicated Covid-19 vaccine clinics being held in locations across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire during the October school holidays, meaning parents of children who are eligible have a choice of where to take them to get protected. Half term clinics for COVID-19 vaccinations are listed at bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth/seasonal-covid-19/

Making an appointment at GP practices or local community pharmacy can be made via the national booking service, and can be accessed online at www.nhs.uk, through the NHS App or over the phone by calling 119.