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Flu: Vaccine ' given to too few young children' | Flu: Vaccine ' given to too few young children' |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Too few toddlers are having the seasonal flu vaccine, warns the chief medical officer for England. | Too few toddlers are having the seasonal flu vaccine, warns the chief medical officer for England. |
The latest figures show fewer than one third of two to four-year-olds are getting the nasal spray. | The latest figures show fewer than one third of two to four-year-olds are getting the nasal spray. |
The uptake is down on the same point last year, the first time children were routinely immunised against flu. | The uptake is down on the same point last year, the first time children were routinely immunised against flu. |
Public Health England said that young children were "super-spreaders" and stopping flu in children would protect their parents and grandparents. | Public Health England said that young children were "super-spreaders" and stopping flu in children would protect their parents and grandparents. |
Last winter was a relatively mild flu season and health agencies have already warned of complacency when it comes to getting immunised. | Last winter was a relatively mild flu season and health agencies have already warned of complacency when it comes to getting immunised. |
More than two million toddlers are being targeted in vaccination campaigns. | More than two million toddlers are being targeted in vaccination campaigns. |
But immunisation rate data up to 23 November shows: | But immunisation rate data up to 23 November shows: |
Figures also released by Public Health Wales show 78% of children are unvaccinated there. | |
Part of the problem is awareness. | Part of the problem is awareness. |
Two and three-year-olds were vaccinated for the first time last winter and the programme has been extended to four-year-olds this year. | Two and three-year-olds were vaccinated for the first time last winter and the programme has been extended to four-year-olds this year. |
But Prof Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer for England, said half of mums were unaware that the vaccine existed or that children needed vaccinating every year. | But Prof Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer for England, said half of mums were unaware that the vaccine existed or that children needed vaccinating every year. |
She said: "Flu can be really nasty for toddlers, leading to time off nursery which has a big impact on mums and dads and sometimes even a stay in hospital. | She said: "Flu can be really nasty for toddlers, leading to time off nursery which has a big impact on mums and dads and sometimes even a stay in hospital. |
"They also spread the virus easily and often pass flu to grandparents and other relatives who can become very ill, fast. | "They also spread the virus easily and often pass flu to grandparents and other relatives who can become very ill, fast. |
"Giving two, three and four year olds the free nasal spray really is in everyone's interests if you want to help avoid a miserable winter for all the family." | "Giving two, three and four year olds the free nasal spray really is in everyone's interests if you want to help avoid a miserable winter for all the family." |
Spray not jab | Spray not jab |
Children get a different vaccine from that given to other at-risk groups such as elderly people, pregnant women and those with other conditions that affect their health. | Children get a different vaccine from that given to other at-risk groups such as elderly people, pregnant women and those with other conditions that affect their health. |
The vaccine for children contains a weakened form of the live flu virus which is sprayed up the nose whereas the traditional flu jab contains dead virus and is injected in the arm. | The vaccine for children contains a weakened form of the live flu virus which is sprayed up the nose whereas the traditional flu jab contains dead virus and is injected in the arm. |
The ambition is to gradually extend vaccination to all two to 16-year-olds. | The ambition is to gradually extend vaccination to all two to 16-year-olds. |
On average, every person with flu passes on the infection to two people every two days. | On average, every person with flu passes on the infection to two people every two days. |
And children are more likely than most to spread flu. The vaccination programme is aimed at reducing flu in children and in turn cutting cases in at-risk groups. | And children are more likely than most to spread flu. The vaccination programme is aimed at reducing flu in children and in turn cutting cases in at-risk groups. |
Prof Nick Phin, from Public Health England, told the BBC: "This is a new programme, last year was the first year and the figure was just over 40% which for the first year of a new programme is really good. | Prof Nick Phin, from Public Health England, told the BBC: "This is a new programme, last year was the first year and the figure was just over 40% which for the first year of a new programme is really good. |
"We use the term super-spreaders; they're very effective at spreading flu. | "We use the term super-spreaders; they're very effective at spreading flu. |
"The amount of virus you get from a child is much higher than an adult and they shed the virus for much longer. | "The amount of virus you get from a child is much higher than an adult and they shed the virus for much longer. |
"Children are very effective at spreading flu. You just need to look at a child with a cold - the dripping nose: they wipe their hand across their face and then touch something." | "Children are very effective at spreading flu. You just need to look at a child with a cold - the dripping nose: they wipe their hand across their face and then touch something." |
Symptoms of flu include fever, sore throat, aching muscles and extreme tiredness. | Symptoms of flu include fever, sore throat, aching muscles and extreme tiredness. |
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