The NHS in the North West is urging parents and carers to ensure their children are protected from flu, as the latest data shows there is twice as much flu among school children than any other group eligible for the vaccine.
As we enter the first real cold snap of the winter, supporting people to stay well is a key priority for the NHS. At this time of year, the risk from viruses like flu is greater and we know people who are vaccinated are less likely to develop serious illnesses that require hospitalisation.Each winter, thousands of children are admitted to hospital, and those under 5 years old have one of the highest rates of hospitalisation due to flu.
Last year saw a sudden increase in the number of people needing hospitalisation, due to a flu peak in the week leading up to Christmas and then again at the end of January.
Flu can be a severe illness, especially for young children. Symptoms can include fever, extreme tiredness, aching muscles, sore throat, dry cough, and a stuffy nose. Flu can also lead to complications such as pneumonia or ear infections, which may require hospital treatment.
Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning for NHS England – North West said: “As we enter winter, it’s important that parents and carers prioritise the flu vaccination for their children. Flu can be a very serious illness in children, and the best way to protect them and those around them is to get them vaccinated. The great thing about the children’s vaccine is that it’s given as a nasal spray, so is quick and painless.
“We saw significant flu activity across the country last winter, and we need to ensure we’re doing everything we can to reduce the spread this year. The latest data from UKHSA shows twice as much flu among school children and as of 21 November 2024, children aged 5 to 14 years have a higher rate of confirmed flu cases than any other age group.”
The flu vaccine offers the best protection against these risks. By getting your child vaccinated, you’re not only helping protect them, but also reducing the chance of spreading the virus to others, including babies, elderly relatives, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
All school-aged children, up to and including year 11, are eligible for a free nasal spray flu vaccine. The spray, delivered through localNHSSchool Immunisation Teams, is quick and painless. The vaccine usually produces a better immune response in children andevidencefrom last year’s flu season shows strong effectiveness for children in England with a 54% reduction in hospitalisation for those between 2 and 17 years of age.Children aged 2 and 3 can get the vaccine from their GP practice team.
The flu programme started in September, and parents are encouraged to ensure they sign and return consent forms on time, so their children do not miss out. If you haven’t consented yet or have changed your mind and want to consent to the vaccine, get in touch with school.
Emily, aged 9, and James, aged 8, are siblings and recently had their flu vaccination as part of the school programme.
Emily said “I had my flu vaccine, and it tickles a bit. But when you’ve had it, it’s not as bad as you thought it was.”
James said: “It tickles a bit. I felt okay afterwards. It was good because it keeps my family safe and healthy.”
Alison, mum to Emily and James, said: “Every year, I make sure Emily and James have their flu vaccination because I want to protect them from getting ill. They might feel a little unwell afterwards, with a mild headache or a runny nose, but I always have some over-the-counter medicine to hand if needed.
“For me, the small, short-lived side effects are nothing compared to the peace of mind I get knowing they’re protected. I believe it’s important for everyone who’s eligible to NHS vaccinations to get them – it’s not just about protecting your own children, but also protecting the people around them who might be more vulnerable, like grandparents, teachers, or anyone with a weakened immune system.”
Louise, School Immunisation Nurse, said: “The nasal spray is very easy to deliver to the children. It’s extremely quick and it’s painless.
“It’s very important that children are protected from flu to help the whole community. It’s not just the children, it’s everybody else around. It’s parents, grandparents, family members, the rest of the school members and the staff. And because you could go home and give flu to somebody that’s immunocompromised, who could be very poorly.
“If children do get flu, unfortunately, they can be really quite poorly and we have seen huge numbers going into hospitals, which can have a knock-on effect as parents need to take time off work to be with them. The children can be ill for quite a long time, and it’s so much easier just to have a vaccination.”
Winter is a peak time for flu and other viral illnesses, such as RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), norovirus (also known as winter vomiting bug), and scarlet fever. As temperatures drop and children spend more time indoors, these illnesses can spread quickly. It’s important to keep children home if they’re unwell, particularly if they have a fever, as this helps slow the spread of viruses.
If your child is unwell, follow these guidelines:
- Fever: Keep your child home from school or nursery until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours.
- Diarrhoea and/or vomiting: Keep your child home for at least 48 hours after symptoms have cleared up.
- Cough/Cold: It’s generally okay to send children with mild symptoms like a cough or cold to school but keep them home if they have a fever.
Parents are encouraged to book their children’s flu vaccinations as soon as possible to ensure timely protection before flu season peaks. Vaccination appointments can be booked through your child’s GP practice or, for school-aged children, by participating in the school vaccination programme.
For further information, including how to book an appointment, visit the NHS website or contact your GP practice.
