Make sure your children have had their free flu vaccine

Parents are being urged to make sure their children get the free flu vaccine this year '“ protecting them and their loved ones.
Thousands of toddlers and young children across West Sussex missed out on their free flu jab last yearThousands of toddlers and young children across West Sussex missed out on their free flu jab last year
Thousands of toddlers and young children across West Sussex missed out on their free flu jab last year

Last year thousands of toddlers and young children across West Sussex missed out on their free flu vaccine, putting them at risk of becoming seriously if they caught flu or from being a ‘super spreader’ in the community.

Of those eligible less than one in two children had the child-friendly quick and painless nasal spray by the peak of last year’s flu season in the county.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That meant that thousands went without the vital protection – both for them and those around them.

This year, the vaccine is available free on the NHS for:

• Children aged two and three on August 31, 2018, from your child’s GP practice;

• Children in reception class and school years one to five at their school;

• Children aged two to 17 with long-term health conditions from your child’s GP practice.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The consequences of catching the flu can be serious, especially in children.

Last year saw 12 under 18-year-olds ending up in hospital the Coastal West Sussex area due to flu.

Doctors believe this could have been avoided had those eligible taken up the opportunity to get their free jab.

Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children causing fever, stuffy nose dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints and extreme tiredness, which can often last several days.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Some children can get a very high fever, sometimes without the usual flu symptoms, and may need to go to hospital for treatment.

Serious complications of flu include a painful ear infection, acute bronchitis and pneumonia.

Allison Cannon, chief nurse and director of quality for East Surrey and Sussex Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: “It is important we protect young children from the flu virus and get them vaccinated now. Children can become very poorly if they catch flu and we know this can affect the wider family as parents or carers may get ill themselves or have to take time off work to provide care.

“Protecting your child can stop flu spreading to other children and the family, especially babies and grandparents, who may be at higher risk from getting seriously ill if they catch flu. The nasal spray is safe and tailored each year to specific flu viruses – so please claim this free NHS offer.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is important to get children vaccinated even if they had the flu vaccination last year.

Find out more about the children’s flu vaccine at www.nhs.uk

---

Benefit from an ongoing discount on your Herald or Littlehampton Gazette by joining our voucher membership scheme. Once you’ve subscribed we’ll send you dated vouchers which can be exchanged for your paper at any news outlet. To save money on your Herald or Littlehampton Gazette simply click here.