Children and pregnant women are the first in line for the annual flu vaccination programme which is now underway in the South West.
Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways of protecting yourself and the people around you from the debilitating effects of flu. Eligible children and pregnant women are the focus for the first phase of the vaccination programme this month, with older people, clinically at risk adults, care home residents and frontline workers due to start receiving their jabs from October.
Younger children (aged two or three) will be vaccinated at flu clinics run by their GP, with parents invited to make an appointment. Parents of school aged children will be contacted by their school aged immunisation service to complete a consent form and access vaccination in school or via a community clinic. Parents are strongly encouraged to fill out their consent forms to enable their child to get protected.
Children will be offered the nasal vaccine, as this is the most effective for children, as well more convenient and easily administered when compared to a jab. If this is not suitable for your child speak to your GP or practice nurse to discuss alternatives.
Pregnant women can have the jab at any point in their pregnancy through their GP or at their hospital maternity appointments.
Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so starting adult vaccinations from October will ensure those most at risk are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors and viruses spread.
It is important to not only protect yourself from flu but also COVID-19. Speak to your GP or local pharmacy about options to have both vaccines at the same appointment.
Dr Kheelna Bavalia, South West Medical Director, said: “The flu and COVID-19 vaccines are our best defences against these viruses and can be lifesaving – so I would urge everyone eligible to book their jabs when they become available, to protect themselves and people around them.
“These viruses leave thousands of people in hospital each year, and the vaccinations help us to keep more people well during the winter months when we expect the NHS to again be under significant pressure – so please come forward as soon as you are invited.”
Dr Alasdair Wood, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South West said:
“Flu can be more than just an unpleasant illness in children – for some an infection is life-threatening, including kids who are normally very active and healthy.
“Many of these episodes could be prevented by a simple nasal spray. On top of helping to keep your child healthy, the flu vaccine also helps stop the spread of flu in the community – helping to protect those who are more vulnerable and the elderly such as grandparents.
“To make sure your child doesn’t miss their nasal spray vaccination session, please make sure you return the electronic or paper consent form from the NHS school immunisation team.. If you have a pre-schooler who was aged 2 or 3 on the 31st of August, you should make an appointment to get their nasal spray vaccination at your GP practice.
“The flu vaccine also provides the best protection for both pregnant women and their baby. It reduces the risk of severe complications, intensive care needs, stillbirth, prematurity, and provides additional protection to the baby in the first few months of life.
“The flu vaccine has a good safety record for expectant mothers at every stage of pregnancy. It’s natural to have questions about vaccines during pregnancy, so please reach out to a healthcare professional to get the facts if you have question about these vaccinations.”
Janine Riley knows only too well how devasting the flu can be for children. Her son Henry had to be rushed to hospital for life saving treatment when he got the flu, aged nine. Janine said: “Having experienced a child almost die from flu, nothing is as scary as that, and you’re absolutely doing the best to protect your child by giving them the vaccine.”
