Health officials urge parents to book children's flu jabs

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 05:59 · Archive

Health officials are encouraging parents to vaccinate children against flu during the school half-term break.

Health officials are urging parents to get their children vaccinated against flu during the school half-term break. The push aims to protect children from flu during the colder months ahead.

Most school-aged children will be offered their flu vaccination at school. Parents are asked to return consent forms promptly to ensure their child receives the vaccination. For children aged two to three years old and those with long-term health conditions, parents are encouraged to book appointments at their GP practice or a community pharmacy during the break.

The flu vaccine is typically given as a nasal spray and is described as quick and painless. It protects children from flu and reduces the risk of spreading the virus to family members and classmates.

Dr Barry Coakley, deputy chief medical officer for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, Dorset, and Somerset Integrated Care Boards Cluster, said: 'Now is a perfect time to ensure that any child getting vaccinated will be protected with enough time to build up a good immunity ahead of Christmas, New Year and the arrival of the really cold winter weather.'

He added that with December only six weeks away, vaccination during half-term allows children to develop sufficient immunity before the peak winter season. Parents have highlighted benefits of vaccination including reduced time off work due to illness.

How it is being reported

• Parents urged to book children's flu jabs during half-term breakA winter health push is under way to protect children from flu during the school holidaysWiltshire Times · 27 Oct, 05:00
• Parents urged to book children's flu jabs during half-term breakA winter health push is under way to protect children from flu during the school holidaysSwindon Advertiser · 27 Oct, 05:00
• Parents urged to book children's flu jabs during half-term breakA winter health push is under way to protect children from flu during the school holidaysGazette & Herald · 27 Oct, 05:00
• Parents urged to book children's flu jabs during half-term breakA winter health push is under way to protect children from flu during the school holidaysThis Is Wiltshire · 27 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Dr Barry Coakley · Bath and North East Somerset · Swindon · Wiltshire · Dorset · Somerset

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem