The NHS in Sheffield is encouraging parents and carers of 2–3-year-olds to get their children vaccinated against flu as those under the age of 5 are most likely to be hospitalised with the virus.
Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children, with those under the age of 5 being more likely to be hospitalised due to flu than any other age group. Also, as children spread viruses more easily, vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people.
Dr Sonal Kansra, Clinical Lead for the Children and Young People Asthma Programme at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, said: “Flu isn't the same as the common cold. Flu is caused by a different group of viruses and the symptoms tend to start more suddenly, be more severe and last longer.
“Flu can be an extremely unpleasant illness in children. It can be severe in some childhood groups and can lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia which are likely to lead to hospitalisation. We need to protect those children who are more vulnerable and this is one reason why all children aged 2-3 years are offered the vaccine by their GP.
“It is also really important we vaccinate our children so that they don’t pass it on to others who are more vulnerable, such as their grandparents or baby brothers or sisters.”
Leah Reynolds, a mum from Sheffield, experienced first-hand how badly flu can affect young children when her 2-year-old, Isla, became ill with the virus.
Leah explains: “Isla unfortunately caught flu before I was able to take her for the vaccine and she ended up in hospital as her symptoms were that bad. Isla went floppy and lethargic and had a spiking temperature. She was coughing up mucus and coughing until she was red in the face. I noticed she was really struggling to breathe, and I took her to A&E as I was highly concerned for her health. Seeing Isla in this condition was terrifying.
“I would suggest that parents really consider allowing their child to have the flu vaccine. I personally thought Isla had developed something sinister, that just shows how serious flu symptoms can be. I believe Isla’s symptoms would have been less serious if she had her flu vaccine before she caught it. It took Isla a week to recover which as well as being distressing for her health, also meant she missed a week of nursery, and I missed a week of work.”
The flu vaccination is the best way to prevent your child from getting ill this flu season, or spreading the virus.
Dr Ben Allen, a GP in Sheffield and Clinical Director at NHS South Yorkshire, said: “The vaccine is given to children as a spray squirted up each nostril. The nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective and it's quick and painless.”
Children can catch and spread flu easily. Any child who catches flu after vaccination is less likely to be seriously ill or be admitted to hospital.
Dr Allen continued: “The flu vaccine does not cause flu in children, but some may have minor side effects afterwards, such as a blocked nose, headache or tiredness. Side effects are mild. However after being vaccinated, your child is less likely to get flu, and if they do, it will be a milder illness.”
Your GP will contact you with an appointment to have your 2–3-year-old child vaccinated. If you have any concerns or questions, please speak to your child’s GP or nurse.
If you’ve previously declined the vaccine for your child but now want it, it’s not too late, please contact your GP to arrange.
Children aged between 6 months and 17 years who have a long-term condition will be invited to their GP practice to have their vaccination. Children without long-term conditions in school years reception to year 6, and some secondary school children, will be given the flu vaccination at school.
For more information on the vaccination for children, please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/