Parents and carers in the Black Country are being encouraged to get their children vaccinated this winter.
Flu is caused by the influenza virus; as well as being highly infectious, the virus can cause serious illnesses in children, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The children’s flu vaccine is safe and effective and is offered every year as a nasal spray to children to help protect them against flu.
School aged children across the Black Country are already receiving flu vaccinations through their school’s vaccination programme. Parents are being reminded that children aged two and three (born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2021) are also eligible for the vaccine via their GP practice.
There are more than 28,000 eligible two to three-year-olds in the Black Country, and parents are encouraged to contact their GP surgery to make an appointment.
Dr Fiona Rose, local GP and Clinical Director for Quality and Safety for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board said: “The flu virus is a highly infectious respiratory virus that can spread very quickly among children. By getting vaccinated, your child also protects others around them, including babies, grandparents, and people with weakened immune systems.
“It is recommended that your child is vaccinated for flu each year, even if they had the vaccine last year. Additionally, with COVID-19 still circulating, it is even more important for your child to get the free flu vaccine.
“I would encourage anyone who has received their invite to make an appointment with their GP practice to get their child vaccinated as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, speak to your GP, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional for advice.”
The nasal spray flu vaccine is also being offered to all primary school children (reception to year 6), some secondary school aged children (year 7 to year 11) and children aged two to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions.
School aged children will receive the flu vaccine through school immunisation teams. Children aged between six months and two years with a long-term condition that makes them at higher risk of flu will be offered a flu injection instead of the nasal spray. This is because the nasal spray is not licensed for children under two years old.
Click here for more information on the flu vaccine for children.
You can watch a video on why your child should get a flu vaccine on YouTube here.
