Virtually eight in 10 dad and mom (78pc) have stated their youngsters have both already obtained or will obtain the free nasal flu vaccine within the subsequent two weeks, a brand new survey has proven.
ver half (53pc) of oldsters surveyed weren’t conscious of the elevated likelihood of great problems in the case of youngsters affected by the flu virus.
The HSE experiences that over the past 10 years, over 5,000 youngsters in Eire had been admitted to hospital as very unwell with flu.
The nasal spray will likely be provided totally free to all youngsters between the ages of two and 12, and is out there in GPs and pharmacies nationwide.
The nasal flu vaccine is new to Eire however has been provided to youngsters within the UK since 2013.
The vaccine is definitely administered with a single spray in every nostril of a kid’s nostril and plenty of dad and mom of kids already vaccinated say their youngster in contrast it to a tickle up their nostril.
Dr. Eleanor Galvin, a GP and mum of 4 stated: “The introduction of the kids’s nasal flu vaccine needs to be welcomed by all dad and mom. It is free, painless and has little to no unwanted effects.
“With our nation’s COVID-19 infections nonetheless fluctuating dramatically between lockdowns, alongside the trouble to maintain faculties open this educational yr, getting the flu vaccine to your youngsters ought to actually be a no brainer. In reality, youngsters are twice as more likely to get the flu than adults. Youngsters who’ve a slight runny nostril can nonetheless get the vaccine because it absorbs shortly. Nonetheless youngsters who’re very unwell, or who’ve a temperature ought to wait till they really feel higher.”
94pc of oldsters surveyed had been conscious of the introduction of the nasal flu vaccine to this yr’s winter flu safety programme, with GPs and pharmacies reporting elevated curiosity from dad and mom in latest weeks to get their youngsters vaccinated.
The HSE and medical consultants are eager to level out to oldsters you can’t get the flu from the flu vaccine. A small variety of individuals may expertise some gentle unwanted effects, together with a runny nostril, headache or temperature which will be handled with over-the-counter paracetamol medication.
Professor in Immunology at Trinity Faculty Dublin, Dr Rachel McLoughlin stated: “On this present unsure world, it simply is smart to guard your youngsters towards the ailments that now we have vaccines for and a type of is flu.
“We have now a secure and straightforward to manage vaccine for youngsters with no needles required, that may shield them from the virus that causes flu. A easy squirt up the nostril and they’re absolutely protected. The very last thing any guardian needs proper now could be to have a sick youngster that requires a visit to the hospital within the midst of this pandemic.
“Youngsters are extra doubtless than adults to get extreme problems of flu, together with pneumonia, bronchitis and painful ear infections. This is the reason it’s so necessary for them to get the flu vaccine this yr, when our hospitals are already underneath immense strain.”
