Health organisations in Liverpool are encouraging everyone eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine to make an appointment as soon as possible this winter.

It’s a message that local health professionals are particularly keen to get across to the parents and carers of children aged 2-3, because take up amongst this group tends to be fairly low in Liverpool.

Dr Mark Wigglesworth, a GP in Liverpool, explains:

“I really want to encourage parents with young children to make an appointment for your child to have the nasal flu spray at your local GP practice as soon as possible. Children are known for spreading coughs and colds over winter, and under-5s are also more likely to be hospitalised by flu than any other age group.

“Getting the nasal flu vaccine is quick, safe and effective, and it not only helps protect your child from illness, but it will also help protect other vulnerable family members who you might see over the coming months too, such as grandparents, or any friends and relatives with long term conditions.”

All children born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2018 are eligible to have the nasal flu vaccine at their GP practice this winter.

In addition, all school-aged children in Reception to Year 7 will be offered the vaccine in school with parental consent, and those in Year 8 upwards with a long-term condition are also eligible to get a vaccine from their GP.

Local health professionals are also keen to encourage all patients eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination, to make an appointment to get one as soon as possible this winter. This includes:

• Pregnant women
• People aged 65+
• Those with long-term conditions eg. diabetes, asthma or other respiratory conditions
• Those living in residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities
• Those in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or the main carer of an older or disabled person
• Those with a learning disability
• All health and social care workers (via their employer)
• Anyone who was previously on the government’s Shielded Patient List, and their other household members

If you are eligible for the flu vaccine this winter, please contact your GP practice or local pharmacy now to make an appointment and get yourself protected.