Orkney parents urged to vaccinate their infants

With only two weeks left to take up the flu vaccination, the call for parents across Orkney to get their children aged between two and five years immunised has been stepped up, with health professionals warning about the unpredictable nature of the virus.

Public health minister, Aileen Campbell, is calling on mums and dads in Orkney make an appointment with their GP within the fortnight to get their child vaccinated.

“Even the healthiest of children can fall seriously ill from flu, so it is vital they get their vaccine at their local GP practice to help protect their child and prevent the spread of the virus to family, friends and others around them,” she explained.

“The vaccine only takes a few minutes and can protect your child from flu for up to a year, so it really is the best defence against the virus which can be extremely infectious and serious.”

According to Ms Campbell, the nasal spray used on young children is painless.

“It also has an excellent safety record, and does not contain a live virus, so will not cause flu in your child,” she continued.

“With only two weeks left until Christmas  I am urging parents or guardians who haven’t yet taken their child to their local GP for the free nasal vaccine to do so as soon as possible.”

Dr Louise Wilson, Consultant in Public Health Medicine for NHS Orkney has also been encouraging folk to vaccinate their children.

“It’s very important that children between the ages of two and five receive the free flu vaccine this winter,” she said.

“The vaccine is the best defence against flu and not only helps to protect your children, but also helps to reduce the spread of flu.”

To find out more about the flu vaccine and its benefits, you can visit immunisationscotland.org.uk/flu or call NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88.