Young children now offered swine flu vaccine

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (HMR) is encouraging all children over six months and under five years of age to have the swine flu vaccination now that it is available for them in the borough.

The vaccine is being offered as part of national plans to protect young children in this age group, who are particularly vulnerable to severe illness as a result of swine flu and are far more likely to be hospitalised than any other age group.

Dr Sheila Will, Director of Public Health at NHS HMR, said: “There have been high admission rates to critical care of healthy children in this age group and some children under five have died as a result of swine flu, so I’d really encourage parents to take up the offer of the vaccination for their child when they receive the invitation from their GP.”

Vaccination is the best way to protect young children and although cases of swine flu have decreased over the last couple of months, residents in the borough are reminded that the virus has still not gone away.

“Although swine flu may not be hitting the national headlines at present,” explained Dr Will. “It continues to circulate and vaccination is still recommended to offer ongoing protection against any future waves.”

Those in other priority vaccination groups, like pregnant women and people with long term health conditions, are also encouraged to get the vaccine if they haven’t already done so.