NHS bosses share reasons to get Dorset pre-schoolers flu vaccinated
The UK Health Security Agency wants to boost uptake numbers
There's a plea for more pre-schoolers in Dorset to be vaccinated against flu this winter - with the UK Health Security Agency sharing five reasons why it's important.
They've released figures showing 49.8% of 2 year olds and 53.5% of 3 year olds had a vaccine in the Dorset Council area last year, and they want to boost the numbers taking up the offer this time around.
In the BCP area, the uptake's lower - with 45.1% and 47% of toddlers getting the vaccine respectively.
That's also below the South West average of 50.2% of 2 year olds and 52.1% of 3 year olds.
Flu can cause fever, extreme tiredness, aching muscles and joints, stuffy nose, dry cough, and sore throat in children.
Most are well enough to go back to nursery or school a week after getting sick with flu, but for some it can be life-threatening.
The vaccines are offered to parents of all 2 and 3 year olds through their GP surgeries, but it's also available for little ones aged between 6 months and 2 years if they're considered vulnerable.
Primary and secondary school students are also eligible for the nasal spray vaccine at school.
The UK Health Security Agency has shared reasons why they think it's important to get children vaccinated:
- Protect your child - Children under the age of 5 years have the highest rate of hospital admissions due to flu. There were 6000 hospital admissions for flu in under 5s last winter. Vaccination cuts the risk of being hospitalised due to flu by around two-thirds. Having the nasal spray or vaccine will also help protect your child against complications such as pneumonia, and painful ear infections
- Protect you, your family, and friends -We all know how quickly pre-schoolers can spread their germs! Vaccinating your child will help reduce the chance of others in your family, who could be at greater risk from flu, such as grandparents or those with long term health conditions, getting flu from your child
- No injection needed - The nasal spray is painless and easy to have. It contains viruses that have been weakened to prevent them from causing flu but will help your child to build up immunity. This means your child will be better able to fight off flu. The vaccine is absorbed really quickly in the nose, so even if your child sneezes immediately after having had the spray, there’s no need to worry that it hasn’t worked
- It’s better than having flu - The nasal spray helps protect against flu, has been given to millions of children in the UK and worldwide and has an excellent safety record. In the last few years, the protection that children get from vaccination has been consistently higher than for adults. The vaccine is updated each year to match the strain of the flu virus. For this reason, we recommend that your child is vaccinated against flu again this year, even if vaccinated last year
- Avoid costs and time off work - Juggling a sick child and work is never fun. Vaccinating your pre-schooler isn't just about safeguarding their health; it's also a smart decision for parents. If your child gets flu, you may have to take time off work or arrange alternative childcare. But when your child stays protected from preventable diseases, it means fewer missed workdays for you. The nasal spray vaccine is free on the NHS
Professor Dominic Mellon, Deputy Regional Director for UKHSA South West said:
“Flu can be more than just an unpleasant illness in children – for some an infection is life-threatening, including kids who are normally very active and healthy. Flu vaccines give vital protection – not just keeping kids well, but also out of hospital. Each winter thousands of children require treatment in hospital for flu or its complications.
“Many of these episodes could be prevented by a simple nasal spray. On top of helping to keep your child healthy, the flu vaccine also helps stop the spread of flu in the community – helping to protect those who are more vulnerable and the elderly such as grandparents.
“When you get the electronic or paper consent form from the NHS school immunisation team, please make sure you return it, so your child doesn’t miss their nasal spray vaccination session. If you have a pre-schooler who was aged 2 or 3 on the 31st of August, you should make an appointment to get their nasal spray vaccination at your GP practice.”