Parents are being urged to ensure their children receive flu vaccinations
City of London authorities are requesting that parents and caregivers ensure their children receive the yearly flu vaccine. Each year, a new vaccine is needed due to changes in the flu virus. The vaccine is available for children aged 2 and 3 (as of August 31) and all schoolchildren up to year 11. Last winter, over 10,000 children were hospitalized because of the flu, but the vaccine has shown to reduce hospitalization risk by two-thirds. This child-friendly vaccine is administered as a nasal spray without the use of needles.
Additionally, the City Corporation is emphasizing the importance for parents of school-aged children to fill out the vaccine consent form provided by schools. Appointments for eligible pre-school children can be scheduled through their GP practice.
Ruby Sayed, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services Committee, highlighted the hospitalization of over 10,000 children last year due to flu and urged parents to vaccinate their children with the painless nasal spray vaccine to prevent serious illness.
This advisory follows an earlier appeal to parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. Low vaccination rates have increased the risk of a measles outbreak in London, according to government models. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is offered to children at one year and again at three years and four months. It is crucial to receive both doses, and it’s never too late to catch up on missed vaccinations. Parents and caregivers unsure about their child’s vaccination status or their own can contact their GP practice for information and to schedule an appointment.
