Flu vaccine invite for youngsters

GP practices across Carmarthenshire, will invite all children aged 2 or 3 years old to receive their annual flu nasal spray vaccine this autumn.

Young children can become very ill with flu. Two and three-year-old children are a priority group as not only are children of this age super spreaders of flu, they’re also one of the groups most at risk of serious illness and hospitalisation.

Dr Joanne McCarthy, deputy director of public health at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Flu is caused by the influenza virus. It can be a very unpleasant illness for children and also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

“The pandemic has made us much more aware that vaccination saves lives and reduces hospitalisations. Vaccination may not stop your child from catching flu, but it makes it far less likely that your child will be severely ill or need hospitalisation.”

The children’s nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective and is offered every year to children to help protect them against flu.

If your child is aged between 6 months and 2 years and has a longterm health condition that makes them at higher risk from flu, they are also eligible but will be offered a flu vaccine injection instead of the nasal spray.

Health officials say to wait until you are contacted by your GP practice and ask you to make every effort to keep the appointment given.

If you have any questions about vaccinations, you can ask your GP surgery or other healthcare professionals for advice. More information is also available at https://phw.nhs.wales/fluvaccine.

After vaccination, some children and young people may get a temperature, feel tired, have a headache, have aching muscles or have a reduced appetite for a day or two. The nasal spray may cause a runny or blocked nose and the injection can leave a sore arm. Other reactions are less common.