26 October 2017
The following information is from our partners at Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs)
Local health chiefs at NHS Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS Telford and Wrekin CCG are keen for children aged 2-3 to get their free flu vaccination without delay.
Young children are at increased risk from the effects of flu, along with people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, carers and those with long term health conditions. It’s free for these groups of people because they need it.
The flu vaccine for young children is not an injection, just a quick nasal spray. Flu can be horrible for little children and if they get it, they can spread it around the whole family.
Dr Julian Povey, Chair of Shropshire CCG, said: “Children who get flu have the same symptoms as adults – including fever, chills, aching muscles, headache, stuffy nose, dry cough and sore throat. Some children develop a very high fever or complications of flu such as bronchitis or pneumonia and may need hospital treatment.
“Don’t put off it off. Ask your GP about the free flu vaccine for your child now.”
Dr Jo Leahy, Chair of NHS Telford and Wrekin CCG, said: “Young children aged 2-3 don’t need a flu injection. Instead all they need is a quick nasal spray, I would encourage parents to ask their GP about the free flu vaccination for their child as soon as they can.”
Find out more about keeping you and your family safe and well this winter at www.nhs.uk/staywell or for information about services available in Shropshire visit www.shropshireccg.nhs.uk or www.telfordccg.nhs.uk.