Parents of toddlers invited to get flu vaccine ahead of challenging winter

The NHS is sending invitations to parents of toddlers in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin to get their flu vaccination.

Parents of two and three-year-olds are being urged to book an appointment with their GP practice, when they are contacted to do so, to protect their child this winter and help stop the spread of the virus.

The vaccine is free and is delivered with a quick and painless spray up the nose.

Last winter, 64.5% of children aged two and three-years-old had their flu vaccination – and this year it is hoped that number increases. 

The health service is warning that this winter could be its most challenging to date, with a potential 50% increase in flu cases, while hospitals will continue to need to treat Covid-19 patients.

Dr John Pepper, Chair of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “I would strongly urge parents of toddlers to book an appointment for their child with their GP practice as soon as they are invited. This year, for the first time we will have Covid-19 and flu co-circulating. Not many people got flu last year because of Covid-19 restrictions, so there isn’t as much natural immunity in our communities as usual.

“The flu has a serious impact on the health of thousands of people every winter, and getting your child vaccinated will protect them and help to stop the spread of the virus to your most vulnerable family members and loved ones.”

This year the nasal spray flu vaccine is free on the NHS for:

• children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2021 – born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2019
• all primary school children (reception to year 6)
• all year 7 to year 11 children in secondary school
• children aged 2 to 17 years with long-term health conditions

More information – including in what setting the children will receive their vaccine (by age group) – can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/