Almost three quarters of parents have gotten the nasal flu vaccine for their children.
Today, parents across the country have been surveyed to take the temperature on the uptake of the free children’s nasal flu vaccine which has been offered for the first time this year.
The results are very promising, with almost 8 in 10 parents reporting that their children have either already been vaccinated, or have an appointment to do so within the next two weeks.
The nasal flu vaccine is not a new vaccine.
It has been offered to children in the UK since 2013.
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The children’s nasal flu vaccine is free for all children aged between 2-12 years and is available from GPs and pharmacies nationwide.
The vaccine is easily administered with a single spray in each nostril of a child’s nose.
Many parents of children already vaccinated say their child compared it to a tickle up their nose.
Dr. Eleanor Galvin is a GP in a family practice and a mother of four children.
Painless
She says:
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“The introduction of the children’s nasal flu vaccine should be welcomed by all parents.
”It’s free, painless and has little to no side effects.
”With our nation’s COVID-19 infections still fluctuating dramatically between lockdowns, alongside the effort to keep schools open this academic year, getting the flu vaccine for your children should really be a no-brainer.
”In fact, children are twice as likely to get the flu than adults. Children who have a slight runny nose can still get the vaccine as it absorbs quickly.
”However children who are very unwell, or who have a temperature should wait until they feel better.”
Professor in Immunology at Trinity College Dublin and mum of three children, Dr. Rachel McLoughlin says:
“In this current uncertain world, it just makes sense to protect your children against the diseases that we have vaccines for and one of those is flu.
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”We have a safe and easy to administer vaccine for children with no needles required, that will protect them from the virus that causes flu.
Squirt
”A simple squirt up the nose and they are fully protected.
”The last thing any parent wants right now is to have a sick child that requires a trip to the hospital in the midst of this pandemic. Children are more likely than adults to get severe complications of flu, including pneumonia, bronchitis and painful ear infections.
”This is why it is so important for them to get the flu vaccine this year, when our hospitals are already under immense pressure.”
The HSE and medical experts are keen to point out to parents that you can’t get the flu from the flu vaccine.
A small number of people might experience some mild side effects, including a runny nose, headache or temperature which can be treated with over the counter paracetamol medicine.
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The flu vaccine is the best protection against this virus in children and also reduces its spread to others in the community.