A leading Hampshire GP is urging parents and carers to take up the offer for their 2- and 3-year-olds to get a free nasal spray flu vaccine at their GP practice to help protect them against the illness.
From this month, parents or carers of children aged 2 and 3 should get an invitation from their GP practice offering them to book in the vaccination for their child, which is given as a nasal spray rather than an injection in the arm.
Dr Matt Nisbet, GP and vaccination lead for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: “We know children are pretty resilient when they become unwell and can bounce back after a week or so of feeling ill.
“However, having the vaccination protects your child against flu and serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia, which can develop from it.
“It can also help reduce the spread of flu, offering protection to any vulnerable friends and family members you may be in contact with.
“The vaccine is offered as a nasal spray, which is painless and involves two quick squirts up their nostril, which is described as a tickle up the nose.
“The vaccine has been given to millions of children worldwide and has an excellent safety record so I really would encourage you to take up the offer.”
All children from age 2 up to the age of 16 are eligible for the free vaccine. Those aged 2 and 3 will be invited for the vaccination via their GP practice.
School-age children (age 4 to 16) will be offered it via their school where parents and carers will be asked for consent ahead of a vaccination being delivered.
An injectable version is available for those children where the nasal spray may not be suitable and this can be discussed with the team offering the vaccination.
To find out more about the vaccination programmes for children, including who is eligible and information about vaccine safety visit Wessex Healthier Together or search for child flu on the NHS website.