Flu concerns as two-thirds of pre-schoolers unvaccinated
MOST parts of Wales have a worryingly low take-up of the flu vaccine among two and three-year-olds, according to new data.
Figures from Public Health Wales (PHW) shows that in the worst-performing health board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board – which covers a swathe of the South Wales Valleys – just a quarter (25%) of preschool children in this age group have been protected against the virus.
But in other parts of the country, including the best-performer Powys, almost half of two and three-year-olds (46.8%) have been immunised through a nasal spray form of the vaccine.
Across Wales, more than 43,000 two and three-year-olds – out of a total of 64,000 children in that age group – have not been vaccinated.
The figures show fewer than a third (32.6%) of children in Wales in this age group have been immunised.
Officials at PHW claim the low percentages in most regions are concerning as we enter the winter months when influenza is more prevalent.
They have warned that children are far more likely to be seriously unwell from flu than Covid-19.
Dr Chris Johnson, consultant epidemiologist and interim head of Public Health Wales’ Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme, said the take-up across Wales in this age group was “not where we want it to be”.
He explained there were a “multitude of factors” as to why some health boards were faring better than others.
“Two and three-olds are given the vaccine primarily through primary care, so there is always a level of variation when it comes to access to general practice. We know primary care is extremely challenged at the moment,” he said. “It’s also really important that parents seek out the vaccine and keep asking to ensure their child has had it.
“Some people still don’t see flu as a very serious disease, especially in the young. Children can be hospitalised with it and they’re also very effective spreaders of flu in households.
“The evidence shows that people who are co-infected with flu and Covid are twice as likely to die or be ventilated in hospital than someone with Covid alone.”
Dr Johnson said the flu rates have been increasing in communities across Wales over the past fortnight, although they remain “very small in number”.
“There is now good evidence that we will have a flu season, unlike last year [when there was very little about],” he added.
“It’s very early days, and it’s not based on a lot of cases, but there are signs that the vaccine is a good match for the flu we’ve seen circulating so far.
“That makes it all the more important for people to take the option to protect themselves if they’re eligible, and for their children.”
This autumn and winter the flu vaccine is available free on the NHS to more than 1.5m people in Wales the highest number in history. It is being extended to everyone aged over 50 and between school years 7 and 11.
Vaccination is particularly important for those who are older, pregnant or have a health condition that makes them more vulnerable to complications as a result of infection.
Dr Johnson said take-up of the flu vaccine in schools has been “encouraging” despite the higher than average number of pupils off school due to Covid.
“Because of the high levels of Covid in the under-19s, schools are finding there are a lot of children off. There’s still work to be done picking up those children who missed their flu vaccine session because they were unwell,” he added.
Dr Johnson admitted that life will be “extremely challenging” for NHS staff this winter even if there are only a small percentage of flu patients needing hospital treatment.
“We need to do everything we can to minimise the extra pressure we’re putting on the system, and getting vaccinated against flu is one of those things that is safe and effective and will help.”
Flu vaccine take-up among two and three-year-olds by health board: