Double double toil and trouble – don’t let flu burst your bubble!
Over this half term holiday and Halloween, make sure your little monsters are protected against flu by booking in a quick tickle up the nose.
Children aged 2 and 3 can get a free nasal spray flu vaccine at their GP practice – if you haven’t yet had your invitation then get in touch with your surgery to get booked in.
Dr Karl Graham, GP at Hedge End Medical Centre and clinical director for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, said: “We know children can pick up and pass on flu when mixing, and although most are pretty resilient, if they do catch flu, it can often lead to feeling really unwell.
“A runny nose, coughs, and sneezes, not being able to sleep well – these are just some of the symptoms of flu which are not pleasant for anyone.
“Taking up the offer of a free flu vaccination for your 2 and 3-year-old will help protect them from getting flu. If they do get flu, it can really reduce the symptoms.
“It will also prevent them from spreading it to those around them, including older people who can get quite ill from flu.”
For most toddlers the flu vaccination will be in the form of two quick squirts of spray up the nose, which is often described as a ‘little tickle’ and carried out at your GP practice.
All children from age 2 up to the age of 16 are eligible for a free flu jab, with most of them having it at their school.
Children aged 6 months and over in a clinical risk group are also eligible for both the flu and COVID-19 vaccination.
Since the Autumn 2023 vaccination programme started, nearly 50,000 children have been vaccinated against flu.
The NHS is running a spectacular spooky campaign called Protect Your Little Monsters over half term and Halloween. Look out for the frightfully fun images across soft play centres and Vue cinemas in Hampshire, including:
Soft play
- Atmosphere, Basingstoke
- Flip Out, Basingstoke
- Jumpin Jax, Southampton
- Monkey Bizness, Gosport
- Monkey Bizness, Southampton
- Partyman World, Eastleigh
- Rock Up, Whiteley
Cinemas
- Vue Eastleigh
- Vue Basingstoke
Parents can book a flu appointment for their pre-school children by calling their GP practice. Children who are at school will be offered vaccination via their school and parents will be asked to give consent electronically.
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.