Parents across Swindon and Wiltshire are being encouraged to make sure their children are protected against flu this winter, with the October half-term holiday providing an opportunity to arrange vaccinations before Christmas.
With Halloween approaching and temperatures beginning to fall, health officials are reminding families that seasonal viruses are likely to become more common as the colder weather sets in.
The NHS is offering free flu vaccinations to eligible children, including those aged two and three, school-aged pupils and youngsters with certain long-term health conditions.
Most schoolchildren will be offered their vaccination through their school, while parents of younger children are being encouraged to arrange an appointment through their GP practice.
Health professionals say getting vaccinated during the autumn gives children time to develop protection before the busiest period for winter illnesses.
Dr Barry Coakley, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset Integrated Care Boards Cluster, said parents should take advantage of the opportunity to protect their children.
“Now is a perfect time to ensure that any child getting vaccinated will be protected with enough time to build up a good immunity ahead of Christmas, New Year and the arrival of the really cold winter weather.”
He also reminded parents of school-aged children to return their vaccination consent forms promptly.
Although flu is often associated with a few days of feeling unwell, it can sometimes cause serious complications in children, with some requiring hospital treatment.
Vaccinating children can also help limit the spread of the virus within households, particularly where grandparents, vulnerable relatives or people with existing health conditions may be at greater risk.
For most children, the flu vaccine is given as a nasal spray rather than an injection. The process involves a quick spray into each nostril and does not require a needle.
One local parent, Dave, explained why he decided to arrange the vaccination for his daughter, Enid, after seeing how frequently illnesses were circulating at nursery.
“There’s so many bugs going around nursery, we just didn’t want to take the chance with flu,” he said.
To help Enid feel comfortable about the appointment, the family spent time playing doctors with her toy medical kit, explaining what would happen when she received the vaccine.
Dave added that protecting his daughter could also reduce the likelihood of needing to take time away from work if she became ill.
Any concerns about how Enid might react soon disappeared.
“We were worried Enid would be upset, but instead she said it smelt like strawberries!”
COVID-19 vaccinations also available for vulnerable children
Alongside the flu vaccination programme, the NHS is offering free seasonal COVID-19 vaccinations to children who are eligible because they have a weakened immune system.
Children who are immunosuppressed can face additional risks from respiratory infections, as their bodies may find it harder to fight off viruses.
Dedicated vaccination clinics are being arranged across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire during the October school holidays, giving eligible families additional opportunities to attend.
Details of local COVID-19 vaccination clinics can be found through the BSW Together seasonal COVID-19 vaccination information.
Parents can also find information about flu vaccinations, eligibility and appointment arrangements through the NHS children’s flu vaccination guidance.
With Christmas now just weeks away, the message from local health officials is that families should not leave vaccination arrangements until winter illnesses are already circulating widely.
