Health chiefs have made a plea for more parents in Gedling borough to take up the offer of a free nasal spray flu vaccination for their child this winter.
In some areas of the borough flu vaccination rates are lower for young children than this time last year and lower than the national target of 40%.
The vaccine will help protect your child against flu and serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and also more vulnerable friends and family.
This year, the flu vaccine is being offered to:
- Children aged two and three years
- Children in reception class and school years 1, 2, 3 and 4
- Children with a health condition that puts them at greater risk of flu
The nasal spray, which is painless and easy to have, has been given to millions of children worldwide and has an excellent safety record since it was introduced in 2013.
Children aged two and three years old will be given the vaccination at their local GP usually by the practice nurse. Children in reception class and school years 1, 2, 3 and 4, will have the vaccination in school.
Councillor Stuart Wallace, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee, said: “Flu can be spread more easily by children, especially to vulnerable relatives such as grandparents, those with heart or lung conditions and pregnant family members.
“With Christmas on the horizon, grandparents are more at risk of catching the flu virus from their grandchildren if they’ve not been vaccinated. There is still time to get your child vaccinated before the flu season reaches its peak.”
Toddlers are referred to as “super-spreaders” for tending not to wipe their noses or cover their mouths when sneezing.
The flu vaccine is the best protection we have against this unpredictable virus. Flu infects many people and each year causes severe illness and death particularly among at-risk groups.
The nasal spray vaccine last year reduced children’s risk of flu by 65 per cent according to Public Health England.
Councillor Wallace added: “”I cannot stress enough how important it is for those who are eligible for the flu vaccine to have it. It is vital that the uptake of the vaccine is maintained across all sectors and that schools, nurseries and parents understand the importance of why the vaccine should be given to children.”