It is important to protect your child from flu, especially ahead of the winter season.
One way to do this is by contacting your GP and arranging an appointment at he clinic to give your child a flu vaccination.
You can find out more information about the benefits of receiving the flu vaccination by visiting this link about the NHS Flu Vaccination Programme.
Information about the flu vaccination
Flu vaccination is safe and effective for adults and children. It’s offered every year through the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
Who can have the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults who:
- are 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2024)
- have certain long term health conditions
- are pregnant
- are in long-stay residential care
- receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Why is flu vaccination important?
The importance of receiving flu immunisation cannot be emphasised enough, given the potential harm and even danger it can pose to vulnerable individuals with underlying health conditions. While the symptoms may only be mild for some, the potential risks should not be disregarded.
To achieve maximum protection, it is highly recommended to receive the flu vaccine in the fall or early winter months before the onset of the flu season. However, one can still receive the vaccine at a later time and obtain the necessary protection against the flu.
5 reasons to vaccinate your child from flu
Protecting your child against flu has its advantages, and doing it ahead of the flu season reduces severe risks to your family.
The following 5 reasons to vaccinate your child include;
1. Protect your child
The vaccine will help protect you and your child against flu and serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
2. Protect you, your family and friends
Vaccinating you and your child will help protect more vulnerable friends and family.
3. No injection needed
The nasal spray is painless and easy to have.
4. It’s better than having flu
The nasal spray helps protect against flu, has been given to millions of children worldwide and has an excellent safety record.
5. Avoid costs
If your child gets flu, you may have to take time off work or arrange alternative childcare.
Protecting the country against deadly viruses in September
Ahead of winter, the NHS is looking to protect and safeguard the UK from deadly viruses including adults and children.
Beginning in September 2023, the NHS intends to offer the flu vaccine to a several children across the country.
The vaccination programme will be done by extending the flu vaccine coverage to millions of children across the UK.
It will commence the flu programme with a strategic approach to administer flu vaccinations through schools and community clinics.
Consequently, it will reduce the likelihood of children requiring hospitalisation, thereby alleviating the burden on the healthcare system.
Moreover, this preventive measure will effectively disrupt the transmission chain and spread of the virus across the wider population.
Those with enduring health afflictions may receive the vaccine via GP surgeries.
This is to reduce the potential threat of serious illness to the younger population. In addition, children aged 2 and 3 years may seek an appointment with their GP practice for the same purpose.
