Essex parents encouraged to get the flu jab for their children
This comes after 190 children and young people were admitted to hospital with the illness last year.
Parents in Essex are being urged by the NHS to get their children vaccinated against flu.
190 youngsters were hospitalised with the virus last winter - 98% as emergencies.
But just 41% of eligible two and three-year-olds in Greater Essex were vaccinated - below the national average.
The push to get children vaccinated is part of NHS Essex's Super Bodies campaign. The aim of the campaign is to support families from pregnancy and through childhood. It gives clear advice about vaccination, common winter illnesses as well as when to seek help.
Flu vaccination is one of the campaign's simple steps families can take to protect children’s health. Pregnant women can also protect their baby before birth by having flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations.
Natalie Hammond, Interim Executive Chief Nursing Officer at NHS Essex, said: “As parents and carers, we all want to keep our children safe and well."
“The Super Bodies campaign helps families understand how vaccination can protect children from serious illness. For most children, the flu vaccine is given as a quick nasal spray, so they will not need an injection."
“Vaccination during pregnancy can also help protect babies. Having the flu and RSV vaccines helps you pass the benefits on to your baby before birth, giving them extra protection during their first months of life."
“We want families across Essex to feel informed and ready for winter so if your child is eligible for the flu vaccine, or you are pregnant, please take up the vaccinations offered to you. A small step now can help protect your family this winter.”
Flu vaccination has been available in the county since the 1st of September for pregnant women, children aged two or three, school-aged children from Reception to Year 11, and children aged from six months to under 18 who are in a clinical risk group.
Most school-aged children will be offered their flu vaccination at school. Parents and carers will need to complete the consent form when they receive it.
NHS Essex also says that many other eligible adults can have their flu vaccination from the 1st of October.