Make your child flu safe with pain free vaccine

Children aged two, three and four years old across south east Essex will be offered the single dose nasal spray flu vaccine, Fluenz Tetra.

The needle-free vaccine is an alternative to the traditional injectable flu vaccine, which will continue to be offered to those aged 65 and over, pregnant women, carers and adults and babies (aged six months to two years) with a long-term medical condition.

The Fluenz immunisation is a simple, painless nasal spray that protects children against many strains of the flu virus. Introduced last year for healthy two and three year olds, the vaccine has been used safely and effectively in the USA for over 10 years.

The NHS continues to roll out the nasal spray with four year olds receiving the vaccine this year and some secondary school children have been offered the vaccine as part of a pilot scheme in selected schools nationwide.

Chief Nurse at NHS Castle Point and Rochford CCG, Tricia D’Orsi, said:

“Flu can be very unpleasant for children. Some children develop a very high fever or complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia and painful middle ear infection. They may need hospital treatment, and in serious cases, a child may die from flu.

“The vaccine is the best possible protection against the flu virus. Not only is the nasal spray needle-free, it also works even better than the injected flu vaccine with fewer side effects.

“It’s quick and painless and will mean your child is less likely to become ill if they come into contact with the flu virus.”

Parents or carers of children aged two, three and four will be contacted by their GP about getting their child vaccinated before the winter. If you don’t hear anything, or you want more information about when and how your child will be vaccinated against flu, talk to your GP or practice nurse.

 

Note:

 Flu vaccinations are currently offered free of charge to the following ‘at-risk’ groups:

 People aged 65 years or over (including those becoming age 65 years by 31 March 2015).

 All pregnant women (including those women who become pregnant during the flu season).

 Children aged 2,3 and 4, who are eligible for a free nasal flu vaccination

 People with a serious medical condition such as:

i. chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis;

ii. chronic heart disease, such as heart failure;

iii. chronic kidney disease at stage 3, 4 or 5;

iv. chronic liver disease;

v. chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson's disease or motor neurone disease;

vi. diabetes; and

vii. a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment).

 People living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow introduction of infection and cause high morbidity and mortality. This does not include, for instance, prisons, young offender institutions, or university halls of residence.

 People who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.