Mum in flu jab appeal
A MOTHER from Widnes is urging parents to get their free flu jab vaccination to protect themselves and their children from getting ill this winter.
The NHS across Cheshire and Merseyside has launched a campaign to encourage parents to protect their two to three year olds from the flu, by taking up the offer of the free vaccination at their GP practice.
Flu is a highly infectious disease and can be dangerous for children
Charlotte Rowley-Jones who now lives in Runcorn is mum to three year old Esther. She said “I’d definitely recommend the flu nasal spray.
“It’s quick, easy and painless. Plus the benefit of knowing my little girl won’t pick up every little sniffle from pre-school; even if she did catch something the symptoms are less severe and over much quicker!
“The benefits are that she won’t pass things on to other people too who may be more vulnerable.”
Children with flu have the same symptoms as adults; some develop a high fever or other complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia, which may need hospital treatment.
For children, the flu vaccine is not an injection, just a quick nasal spray from a GP or practice nurse if they are aged two to three years old. School children from reception class through to year five will get their nasal spray vaccination through their school.
In areas where the flu vaccine was piloted amongst primary school age children, there was a 94% reduction in GP influenza-like illness consultation rates; 74% reduction in A&E respiratory attendances, and 93% reduction in hospital admissions due to confirmed flu in primary school children.
A NHS sokeswoman said: “Flu can be horrible for children, it can lead to serious health problems and they can spread it around the whole family. The flu vaccine protects children, from serious complications that could develop if they were to get the flu.
“If your children are eligible for the flu vaccine, get them vaccinated and protect them. You will also be preventing the further spread of the flu virus to other relatives and friends who may be vulnerable, such as grandparents.”
More information about the flu vaccine can be found at https://www.nhs. uk/ conditions/ vaccinations/ childflu-vaccine/ and by following Facebook @NHSCMLSC or on Twitter @ NHSEnglandNorth #SWTWNW