Children get covered against flu

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Children are almost three times more likely to be ill with flu than adults.

The sore throat, fever, aches and chills can make youngsters poorly for weeks and, in some cases, lead to hospitalisation, which is why it is so important for children to take up the offer of the free flu vaccine.

Over 550,000 children aged between 2-11 years old are being offered the nasal spray flu vaccination, following the extension of the flu immunisation programme last year.

The childhood vaccination has an excellent safety record, and was given to more than a quarter of a million children in Scotland last year.

For the first time, all parents of pre-school children have been contacted and encouraged to make an appointment with their GP practice as soon as they can to get their child vaccinated, in a bid to protect as many children as possible. Primary school children are being vaccinated at school.

The flu vaccine for children is a simple nasal spray that’s quick to administer, easily absorbed and pain free, and will offer protection for a year. It takes a few minutes, and involves a tiny amount of the nasal spray being sprayed into each nostril.

As well as ensuring that children are protected, the extension of the vaccination programme also means that youngsters are less likely to spread the flu virus to others, including vulnerable members of society who could be hit hard by flu.

Even if your child was immunised against flu last year, it is important to get the vaccine again this year as viruses can change over time.

Senior Medical Officer for the Scottish Government Dr Nicola Steedman said:  “Every parent in Scotland has the facts they need about flu and knows how to protect their children. The best defence against flu is the vaccine, so I encourage all parents to ensure their child is covered.

“Even the healthiest of children can become seriously ill as a result of flu, so I’d urge parents make sure their child is protected by getting the vaccine.

“Each year in Scotland, thousands of children under 14 are seen by their GP with flu, or complications with flu, and a number of these children will be hospitalised. Flu can hit children hard, and even healthy children can become seriously ill, especially those under five years as they are less likely to have built up any immunity to the flu virus.”

Find out more about the flu vaccine for children at immunisationscotland.org.uk/childflu or call NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.