A TOP NHS nurse is pleading with parents to get their children jabbed against flu this October half-term to prevent the virus “spreading like wildfire”.
The latest data show that flu activity is continuing to increase among school-aged children, with signs of an early flu season emerging.
“It is hugely concerning that flu has hit us early this year, with a worrying increase among children,” Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for NHS England, said.
“The virus changes each year, so vaccination remains the best way to shield your child from getting seriously ill.”
Flu cases are creeping up across all age groups, but rising fastest in kids, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures reveal.
One in five tests (20 per cent) in five to 14-year-olds came back positive last week, up from 13 per cent the week before, it says.
Most children (reception to Year 11) get their flu jab at school.
Parents are being urged to ensure they have completed their child’s school flu vaccine consent forms – or to find their nearest catch-up clinic this half term.
This year, jabs are also being offered in bowling alleys, sports halls, football pitches, libraries and even fire stations making it as easy as possible for families to get their kids vaccinated.
Younger children aged two and three – and children of any age with underlying health conditions – can get their jab at their GP surgery or some pharmacies.
In the Midlands, there are at least six fire station clinics across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent over the next few weeks, including one in Longton on Saturday.
A flu van is also visiting a fire station in Lancashire and south Cumbria during half-term.
GP surgeries can give flu vaccines to school-aged children with certain health conditions and two and three-year-olds.
Parents can also take pre-school children to pharmacies for vaccines, NHS England said.
In the North West, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital is even sending out “flu fairies” – staff dressed with wings – to help reassure young patients and make the jab experience less scary.
“Flu can spread like wildfire across schools and can make children really unwell,” Duncan said.
“That’s why we’re making it easier than ever before for children to get the vaccine close to home or at school.
“So, I’m urging parents to check their child’s options for flu vaccination as soon as possible; make sure you’ve opted your child in for their in-school vaccine or find your nearest community clinic over half term.”
‘Serious health complications’
Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse with the British Heart Foundation, said: “Anyone with a history of heart and circulatory illnesses is at increased risk of severe illness if they get the flu.
“If you have had a heart attack, the flu puts you at a greater risk of having another one, and it can exacerbate conditions like heart failure.
“Getting a flu jab takes only five minutes and it can protect you from potentially serious health complications, while supporting the NHS by reducing the number of people needing treatment during the immensely busy winter period.”
Last week, health chiefs warned the flu could hit earlier than usual this year, with cases already on the rise.
The season typically runs from September to March, peaking between December and February.
NHS England said more than 10 million vaccines have already been delivered in the latest campaign, including to almost 1.5 million school-aged children and more than 300,000 eligible two and three-year-olds.
Flu vaccines are also available for everyone aged 65 and over, under-65s in at-risk groups, care home residents and carers, pregnant women.
Close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed can also get free vaccines, as well as frontline health and social care workers, and children.
When flu could be something more serious…
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you or your child have symptoms of flu and:
- you’re worried about your baby’s or child’s symptoms
- you’re 65 or over
- you’re pregnant
- you have a long-term medical condition – for example, diabetes or a condition that affects your heart, lungs, kidneys, brain or nerves
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or HIV
- your symptoms do not improve after seven days
Call 999 or go to A&E if you:
- get sudden chest pain
- have difficulty breathing
- start coughing up a lot of blood
Source: NHS
