Be a flu fighter and get your children vaccinated

Rochdale Borough Council’s public health team is urging parents of children aged two, three and four years old to get their little one vaccinated for free against the flu this winter.

Flu vaccination is designed to prevent flu and can help reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and even death amongst those most at risk.

As well as young children, this includes:

•  Pregnant women;
  
• Over 65s;
  
• People under 65 with a serious or long-term medical condition such as asthma and diabetes;
  
• Those living in long stay residential care homes;
  
• Carers in receipt of carers’ allowance or those who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.
  

Children up to the age of three were eligible for free vaccination last year and four-year-olds have now been included for the first time. For those aged two, three and four, this is given as a quick, painless and effective nasal spray, rather than an injection.

The flu vaccine is an annual one-off vaccine which changes every year to fight the latest strains of flu, so people need to get a new jab each year for protection. Last year was a mild flu season but it is important people do not become complacent and continue to be as prepared as possible.

Councillor Cecile Biant, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Regulation at Rochdale Borough Council, said: "Flu is an unpleasant but preventable illness and continues to make people seriously ill people in Rochdale borough every year. Flu targets those who are weakened and vulnerable, so parents should take steps to protect their young children during the winter months. I would urge those who are offered the free flu vaccination to visit their GP early in the flu season. By having vaccinations we protect ourselves, our family, our friends and the wider community.”