All primary pupils to get jab

ALL primary school children are being offered the flu jab this winter.

The extension to the vaccine programme will now not only cover two and three year-olds.

Public Health Wales says it is especially important for children to have the flu vaccine as they are particularly good at passing germs and viruses between themselves and the adults they have contact with.

Ros Jervis, director of Public Health for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “Influenza spreads very easily.

“Extending the programme to more children this year will help protect them from catching flu, and will also prevent them spreading it to others in the community who may be very vulnerable.

“I particularly call on the parents of two and three-year-old children to get their children vaccinated with the simple nasal spray this year.

“Statistics show as few as six two to three-year-old children vaccinated prevents one case of flu. This age group has the best opportunity over all others to help stop the spread of flu – they are our ultimate ‘superprotectors.’”

Flu can affect children severely. Each year in Wales, children and adults are admitted to hospital and intensive care units with flu.

Parents and guardians are urged to contact their GP surgery to arrange for their child or children to be vaccinated ahead of the winter months.