Protect your children this winter, and ensure they receive their free flu vaccination

Parents and carers in the South West are being urged to get their two and three year olds vaccinated against flu this winter.

This is to help protect them against the disease and reduce its spread both to other children, including their brothers or sisters, and, of course, their parents and grandparents.

Flu is not just a heavy cold and children who get flu have the same symptoms as adults – including fever, chills, aching muscles, headache, stuff nose, dry cough and sore throat.

Some children develop a very high fever or complications of flu such as bronchitis or pneumonia and may need hospital treatment.

Dr Jon Roberts, Consultant in Public Health, Screening and Immunisation Lead said: “The flu vaccine helps protect your child from flu and reduce the chance of spreading it on to others. Vaccinating your little ones will help you to avoid the need to take time off work because of flu or to look after your children with flu.

"For most children, it is a quick and easy nasal spray. Children aged 2 and 3 (on August 2020) receive the vaccine through their GP and those aged 4-11 years old receive it in school.

If you have a child who is of the eligible age, make sure you sign the form allowing them to have the flu vaccination at school.”

Nicki Woollven, Practice Nurse from Bridge View Medical Practice said:  “It’s really important we vaccinate the children because they’re at higher risk of complications from flu, but also it protects the rest of the community.”

Alfie‘s mum Claire Stanley said: “As a parent protecting Alfie from serious illness is vitally important and whilst with many immunisations it can be difficult for Mums and Dads to watch, the flu vaccination is easy and quick. People often think it’s an injection and it is not, it’s a nasal spray that takes less than 10 seconds to administer.

“It protects Alfie ultimately providing him with protection against an illness that could cost lives if not immunised. I’d urge everyone to make their appointment, it’s free and it’s the best weapon against this illness and a critical time.”

Don’t delay and book your child’s flu vaccine today!