PARENTS are being urged to vaccinate their “super-spreader” kids as killer Aussie flu threatens to tighten its grip on the UK.
The flu virus spreads more easily with kids back at school, yet less than half of eligible youngsters have the protective jab, experts warned.
The latest figures from Public Health England reveal just 40 per cent of two-year-olds and 41 per cent of three-year-olds have been vaccinated this year.
Leading flu expert, professor John Oxford, a virologist from Queen Mary University of London, told The Sun: “Now is the danger period.
“With the situation in France and children going back to school, it could well be a double-whammy and fuel further cases.
“And kids are very good at picking up infections from each other and then passing them on at home.”
Figures from the NHS show that 1,078 people have been admitted to hospital with flu since October across 19 NHS trusts – of those 252 people were diagnosed with “Aussie flu”, a new mutation of the virus.
It means across the UK around 3,800 people are thought to have ended up in hospital with flu – with about 1,000 of those thought to be battling the “Aussie” H3N2 strain.
Is your child eligible?
The NHS offers a free flu jab – but only to certain age and health groups.
For children the vaccine is offered in the form of a nasal spray.
Children aged two to four years will be given the spray at their GP surgery.
Young kids in school years one to three are likely to receive their vaccine at school.
Pregnant women and anyone aged 65-years and older are eligible for a free jab.
But also, people with long-term heart or respiratory diseases or weakened immune systems will get a free jab, or nasal spray if they are children.
Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds Pharmacy, Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s all offer jab’s which can cost up to £20.
However people can pay for the vaccination privately.
THE BEST MEDICATION TO COMBAT THE FLU
If your child, or you, is struck by the flu then paracetamol and ibuprofen can help relieve your symptoms.
Dr Mahendra Patel, a spokesman for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: “Those are the most effective and most proven to have speedy reactions.
“Paracetamol is very good at treating high temperatures and fevers, but also gets rid of aches and pains.
“Ibuprofen is stronger in helping relieve aches and pains and fever.
“Paracetamol would be your first option really, and then you step on to ibuprofen if you need to.”
You can also mix the two, but it is always best to try one on its own first.
Children need a lower dose than adults and for really young children the medicine can be bought in liquid form.
Make sure you read the information on the box carefully before taking any medication.
If you are on anti-depressants, blood thinning medication, blood pressure tablets, have asthma or any other under-lying health conditions then you may not be able to take ibuprofen.
It is important to remember that long-term use of ibuprofen can cause bleeding in the stomach and paracetamol can also interfere with some medications.
The best thing to do if you are unsure about what you can and cannot take is speak to your pharmacist.
Is the jab safe for children?
The nasal spray flu vaccine has few side effects – this usually includes getting a runny nose after vaccination for a few days.
The flu vaccine for children has a good safety record and, in the UK, millions of children have been vaccinated safely and successfully.
What side effects does the flu vaccine cause?
After the flu vaccine you may experience a mild fever and slight muscle aches for a few days.
You may also experience flu-like symptoms – but you will not catch the flu from a flu jab.
Common side effects include:
- a runny or blocked nose
- headache
- general tiredness
- loss of appetite
To avoid muscle ache, docs recommend moving regularly, especially the arm in which you received the jab.
But serious side effects are “uncommon”, the NHS says.
MORE ON AUSSIE FLU
In the event of a severe allergic reaction staff who give the vaccinations will administer adrenaline, to calm its effect.
But not everyone who gets the flu jab will have side effects.
And even if yo do, it is much better than the alternative of being stuck in bed for a week with the flu.
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