Blog by Cheryl O’Sullivan, Chief Nursing Information Officer at NHS Dorset and Advanced Nurse with South Coast Medical Group.
As the weather turns chilly, our children are picking up constant sniffles and bugs, and now is the perfect time to help protect your little ones from flu. Children can catch and spread flu easily.
Children aged 2 and 3 years can get a free flu vaccination from their GP practice or local pharmacy. This year, it’s easier than ever with so many options, book through your GP practice or a pharmacy online. Book, change or cancel a free NHS flu vaccination at a pharmacy – NHS Many pharmacies are offering walk-in appointments too, so you can pop in when it suits you. You can find a walk-in pharmacy here.
At South Coast Medical Group of practices, we have kept things simple this year and you can book any available slot with a trained member of the Nursing Team, to provide extra flexibility to busy parents.
The flu vaccine for most young children isn’t a jab, it’s a quick nasal spray, one in each nostril. It’s over in seconds, and usually children actually enjoy coming to our clinic for the their vaccine! Many say it just feels like a ‘little tickle’.
We all know coughs and colds are part of growing up, but flu can make children feel much worse. It can cause a high temperature, tiredness, and body aches that last for several days. For some, it can lead to serious complications like bronchitis or pneumonia.
UKHSA data shows that during the 2022–23 flu season, more than 6,000 children under five were hospitalised because of flu. In the week before Christmas that year, over 1,000 under-fives were admitted to hospital.
Children are more likely to catch winter viruses like flu because we all spend more time indoors with others when it’s cold. Flu often spreads first in children, which means they can easily pass it on to family members such as grandparents, pregnant mums or newborn babies. That’s why getting them vaccinated early helps protect not just them, but everyone around them too.
The good news is that the vaccine works. Last season, the flu vaccine reduced children’s chances of being hospitalised by over 60% (62.2%).
School-aged children will be offered their flu vaccination in school, just remember to complete the online consent form. You need your schools code for this which will be sent to you via the school.
Vaccinations are a simple, safe way to protect your child, and everyone around them this winter.
Find your nearest walk-in flu clinic: Stay Well Dorset and watch the Flu Fighters storybook and videos at www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/flu-fighters.
Let’s keep Dorset’s little ones smiling, sniffling less, and staying well this winter.
