Parents of two to six-year-olds are being urged to get their children vaccinated against flu this winter.
The vaccine for children is a simple nasal spray and those aged two and three will receive it at their GP practice while those in reception class, Year One and Year Two, will receive the spray from health professionals at school.
The school will require consent from parents before administering the vaccine to any child.
While some parents believe flu does not severely affect children, figures collected by Public Health Wales show that for the past few years, children have been admitted to hospital and intensive care units with flu as well as adults.
Dr Gill Richardson, Director of Public Health at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: “The flu vaccination can prevent serious illness and is safe and effective.
“Flu is caused by viruses and spreads easily. Anyone can get flu but rates of infection are highest among children.
“We are urging all parents and guardians to please read the information and either take their child to their GP surgery or return the signed consent form to school.”
Any parent who chooses not to vaccinate their child is an idiot. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing. Do not let personal beliefs over vaccinations harm your child by making them vulnerable to flu.
I have listened at the school gates and heard the concerns of those apposed to vaccination and I can assure you it is an emotionally charged issue. Not much in the way of reasoned thought but pure emotion.
There maybe a reasonable argument against it but your unlikely to find it amongst the rumour mill at 3pm. But that is where the decisions are made.