Children are ‘super spreaders’ when it comes to flu!
“It’s important we do what we can to protect children against infections and illnesses like flu, because as we all know, children are very good at spreading germs.”
Those are the words of Meilyr Sion, author of Welsh children’s books and actor in Holby City, Pobl y Cwm and The Lion King stage show, and father to Daniel, aged 9, and Daisy, aged 6.
Meilyr is lending his support to Beat Flu this year as he wants to do everything he can to protect his children from catching or spreading flu, and he also wants to encourage other parents to do the same.
Public Health Wales says it is especially important for children to have the flu vaccine as they are particularly good at passing germs and viruses between themselves and the adults they have contact with due to close proximity and generally poorer hygiene (such as hand washing and sneezing). This why they children are sometimes known as ‘super spreaders’.
In an extension to the routine flu immunisation programme this year, all primary school aged children in Wales are now being offered the flu vaccine as well as two and three year olds.
The flu vaccine – which is delivered to children as a nasal spray is available to all children who were aged between two and ten on 31 August 2018.
The flu vaccine is the single best way to protect children from flu and also helps stop the virus spreading further.
Meilyr continues: “The flu vaccine for children is a simple spray up the nose, so there is no needle – Daniel and Daisy have had it for a few years now and they see it as a normal event each autumn along with their classmates. It’s easy for us as parents too, as all we need to do is complete the consent form and return it to school.”
Flu can affect children severely. Each year in Wales, children and adults are admitted to hospital and intensive care units with flu.
Cwm Taf University Health Board’s Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Humphrey Okuonghae said: “ It is imperative that all parents should encourage their children to receive the vaccine this flu season. You will be playing your role in stopping children being admitted to hospital this Christmas.”
For two and three year old children the vaccine will generally be given at their local GP surgery, and for children in reception class and school years one to six, it will be given at their school. Parents/guardians are required to give consent before their child can receive their flu vaccine.
For most healthy children, if they catch flu it means several miserable days at home feeling poorly. However, parents should be aware that flu can sometimes result in serious complications, especially for very young children and those with long term health problems, such as moderate or severe asthma, diabetes, lung disease and heart disease for whom it can even be life threatening. It is reassuring that the nasal spray flu vaccine has few side effects – most commonly getting a runny nose after vaccination for a few days. The flu vaccine for children has a good safety record. In the UK, millions of children have been vaccinated safely and successfully.
Jane Dyson, Immunisation Specialist Nurse at Public Health Wales, is encouraging parents to make sure their child is vaccinated: “As a mum myself, I’m really pleased that the nasal spray flu vaccine for children is being made available to all primary school aged children this year. It represents a big step forward in protecting the most vulnerable in our society.
“Parents – please do not waste this opportunity; give consent for your child to get the vaccine at school. It will help to protect not only their health, but the health of those around them, which often includes people susceptible to the very harmful effects of flu – including grandparents and younger siblings.”
