Get toddlers vaccinated against flu, parents urged
PARENTS of two and threeyear-olds in Wales are being urged to vaccinate their children against influenza this winter.
Wales’ Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank Atherton has warned that young children’s health could be at risk if they caught the virus which is more common during the winter months.
Earlier this month Public Health Wales confirmed that just 40% of children in this age group have been given the nasal spray vaccine from their GP.
Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that affects the lungs and airways.
Symptoms generally come on suddenly, and can include fever, cough, headache, chills, aching muscles and fatigue.
Dr Atherton said: “We know that children are super-spreaders of germs. Illnesses like flu spread easily within families and because of the nature of nurseries, playgroups and the school environment, toddlers and children are often in very close proximity to each other, where they are especially susceptible to any circulating germs.
“Young children are at risk of serious complications of influenza, their immune systems are not yet fully developed so they can’t fight off infections, such as flu, as well as older children and adults. That is why I am urging two and three-yearolds to get vaccinated. It will help protect them from the flu and stop it spreading to family and friends in the wider community this winter.”
All children aged two and three are eligible for free nasal spray flu vaccine at their GP surgery each winter and the vaccine has been offered to all eligible children in reception class and school years one to four in primary school. Parents are required to give consent before this happens.
Consultant paediatrician Dr Sian Owen, at the Children’s Centre in Dolgellau, said: “This vaccination is really important. Young children are particularly at risk... they can’t fight off infections like influenza as well as older children and adults can.”
Last winter in Wales, 671 children and adults were diagnosed with influenza in hospital, with 74 admitted to intensive care.
The nasal spray vaccine provides good protection for children against influenza and is most effective if given before flu starts to circulate.
Visit www.beatflu.org for more information.