PARENTS in the Tivyside area are being urged to get children aged two to eight protected against flu with a simple, free NHS nasal spray vaccine this winter.

The vaccine, which involves no needles, is available to children who were aged between two and eight on August 31.

Hywel Dda University Health Board is urging parents of eligible children to ensure they have the vaccine, which helps protect against catching flu as well as helping to prevent the spread of this potentially serious and highly contagious illness.

Influenza can affect children severely and in recent years in Wales, children and adults have been admitted to hospital and intensive care units with flu. The age range for children to receive this vaccine has been extended this year to include children in primary school year four, so more children will be protected this winter than ever before.

Jenny Israel, of Hywel Dda University Health, said, “We are encouraging children in the eligible groups to be vaccinated to prevent the spread of flu in schools and the wider community.

“For those most at risk – the very young, vulnerable adults, pregnant women and the elderly, flu can be very serious

“Children are super-spreaders of flu. Vaccinating children minimises the spread of flu to their family, within nurseries and schools, and in the general population, and so protects the most vulnerable from flu and its complications.”

For two and three year old children, the vaccine will generally be given at their local GP surgery, and for children in reception class and school years one, two, three and four, it will be given at their school.

Parents/guardians are required to give consent before any child receives the flu nasal spray vaccine.