Give children f lu spray to help grandma

CHILDREN should receive flu vaccines to stop them infecting their grandparents at Christmas parties, the NHS advised yesterday.

Infants and those in primary schools are ‘super-spreaders’ of the illness, bosses said.

All children up to the age of nine are entitled to a free vaccination given as a nasal spray.

But uptake has been low so far this year. Fewer than one in five of eligible children – or only 18 per cent – have been vaccinated.

With less than a month before Christmas, experts said children should be vaccinated to protect the elderly and others who are vulnerable. This way they will be less likely to catch the virus in schools or nurseries and then spread it.

Influenza can be very serious for older people and can lead to serious complications. Office for National Statistics figures show 34,300 died last winter as a result of ‘circulating viral infections’ including flu.

The virus can increase the risk of death in older people and vulnerable groups such as asthma sufferers and pregnant women. The long-term effects of being admitted to hospital are particularly damaging for pensioners. Only ten days in a hospital bed leaves them ten years weaker in terms of muscle strength.

As well as children, frontline care workers who have contact with vulnerable people are also being urged to take up the vaccine.

It is hoped a £10million flu jab programme will ease the pressures that a mass outbreak could place on health services this winter.

Professor Keith Willett, NHS England’s medical director for acute care, said: ‘Flu can be spread more easily by children, especially to relatives such as older grandparents.

‘With less than a month until family gatherings over the festive season, there’s still time for parents to get their “super-spreader” children vaccinated to help protect elderly relatives over Christmas and before the flu season traditionally reaches its peak.’

Professor Willett added: ‘Last year millions of people missed out on their free vaccination and yet it’s one simple, commonsense step to help us all stay healthy.’