New research from the Irish Patients Association (IPA) reveals that 4 in 10 parents hesitate to get their children the free winter flu vaccine. Despite 1,274 children being hospitalised with the virus during the flu season last year, over a quarter of parents perceive the winter flu as not having serious consequences for their children.
The 'Flunited' campaign – a portmanteau of "flu" and "united – which launched this week, emphasises the importance of the children's flu vaccine this winter, rallying parents and guardians to unite with the 'Flunited' team to combat the annual flu outbreak as a collective effort! The campaign aims to highlight that for young children sometimes the consequences of flu can be serious and can lead to problems such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).
The children's flu vaccine, administered as a free nasal spray to of all children 2-12 and children aged 13-17 at high risk of flu, is accessible at local GPs, participating pharmacies, and, for the first time this year, in participating schools across the country.
ALARMING STATISTICS
Commenting in advance of the upcoming winter season, Professor of Immunology, Christine Loscher said: “Children are twice as likely to catch flu as adults. Children with complications may need hospital treatment. Some may need intensive care.
“In the past 10 years in Ireland, almost 5,000 children were admitted to hospital with complications of flu. Almost 200 children had treatment in intensive care and 40 children died. So it’s key parents are aware of the risks.
“Children are twice as likely to catch flu as adults. Children with complications may need hospital treatment. Some may need intensive care. In the past 10 years in Ireland, almost 5,000 children were admitted to hospital with complications of flu. Almost 200 children had treatment in intensive care and 40 children died. So it’s key parents are aware of the risks.”
FREE NASAL FLU
Some primary school children will be offered the free nasal flu vaccine in school by HSE vaccination teams. You will be contacted about this by your local team. The HSE also reassures parents that children can safely receive the flu vaccine alongside other recommended vaccines.
For more information, visit www.irishpatients.ie and https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/childrens-flu-vaccine/
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