A 70% jump in hospitalisations of children under five has prompted parents to get their children vaccinated against the flu. Vaccinations are available at GP surgeries for children in this age group.
An 11% drop in vaccination uptake among two- and three-year-olds was attributed to higher flu levels, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).. As a result of Covid restrictions, most young children have not experienced flu and have no natural immunity to the virus, according to the UKHSA. Flu vaccination rates among two-year-olds are 31%, while those among three-year-olds are 33%. The UKHSA shows these figures have decreased by around 11% since 2012.
"Young children are particularly vulnerable to flu complications," said Dr Conall Watson, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA. "We have seen an increase in hospitalisations among children under five for the third week in a row".
As of 31 August, parents who have yet to receive an invitation for a nasal spray vaccination for a child aged two or three should contact their doctor. Primary and secondary school children are also eligible to receive flu nasal spray this year.
Visit the NHS website for more information.
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