NHS calls for parents and carers to ‘Shoo the Flu Away’

Ahead of flu season, NHS Greater Manchester (GM) is launching a new superhero themed campaign encouraging parents and carers to ‘shoo the flu away’ by vaccinating their 2 to 3 year olds as soon as possible.

The new GM winter campaign sees Flo and Faisal the ‘Flu Fighter’ superheroes use protective shields that help to ‘shoo away’ flu germs – with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of under-5s getting their flu vaccinations from their local GP.

Children aged 2 to 3 have one of the highest flu related hospitalisation rates.

Last year alone more than 6,000 in England hospitalised and many more needed care in accident and emergency.

GPs across GM are able to give young children a nasal flu vaccine rather than an injection to make the experience easier and less stressful – helping to provide early protection to reduce the child’s chance of needing hospital care by around two-thirds and helping to prevent it spreading among vulnerable family and friends.

Dr Helen Wall, Clinical Director for Population Health at NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, said: “Flu makes everyone feel ill, but it can be particularly unpleasant for children – with a greater chance of them becoming very unwell and even ending up in hospital.

“Despite this, uptake in flu vaccines for 2 to 3 year olds in recent years has been falling, leading to lower levels of immunity among children which can make flu outbreaks more likely and place vulnerable people at greater risk.

“That’s why, with a little help from Flo and Faisal, we are asking for parents and carers across Greater Manchester, to take their children to the GP for the flu vaccine.

“Vaccination is our best defence against flu and the nasal flu vaccine makes it really easy for children to get the extra protection needed to keep them and those around them safe.”

There are some children who for medical or faith reasons may not be able to have the nasal vaccine; please discuss other options with your GP practice.

The winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme provides vital protection to those eligible and their families over winter, keeping people from developing serious illnesses, and helping to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months.

Wherever possible and when relevant, vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 will be offered at the same time – making it easier and more convenient for people to get vital protection from both viruses ahead of winter.

But they will also be offered separately.

It is important that those eligible this year come forward for their vaccinations as protection fades over time, and the virus that causes flu and COVID can change from year to year.

Adult flu and COVID-19 appointments are available through the NHS App and website, or by calling 119 for those who can’t get online.

Flu vaccines are also available through local GP practices and pharmacies.

There is no change to flu vaccinations for children which will be offered in schools from early October, to prevent children from getting seriously ill from flu and ending up hospital, and to break the chain of transmission of the virus to the wider population.

The nasal flu vaccine is the most effective vaccine for children aged 2-17 years but if this is not suitable the GP or practice nurse may be able to offer a flu vaccine injection as an alternative.

Health and social care workers are also eligible for the winter vaccines and encouraged to come forward as soon as they can to ensure they are protected when at work.

In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:

those aged 65 years and over

those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, chapter 19 (Influenza))

pregnant women

all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023

school-aged children (from Reception to Year 11)

those in long-stay residential care homes

carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person

close contacts of immunocompromised individuals

frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants

Those eligible for an autumn covid vaccine are:

residents in a care home for older adults

all adults aged 65 years and over

persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book, COVID-19 chapter (Green Book)

frontline health and social care workers

persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression

persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults.

For more information about the Autumn Winter vaccine programme you can click here

To find your nearest COVID-19 walk in clinic, please click here

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.