New research from the Irish Patients Association (IPA ) reveals that four in 10 parents hesitate to get their children the free winter flu vaccine.
Despite 1,274 children being hospitalised with the virus during the flu season last year, over a quarter of parents perceive the winter flu as not having serious consequences for their children. In response to this, Mayo GAA Star Aidan O’Shea, and Pharmacist Laura Dowling and Professor of Immunology Christine Loscher have joined forces with the IPA to launch the ‘Flunited’ campaign, urging parents to protect their children from flu this winter.
The ‘Flunited’ campaign, a portmanteau of “flu” and “united, emphasizes the importance of the children’s flu vaccine this winter, rallying parents and guardians to unite with the ‘Flunited’ team to combat the annual flu outbreak as a collective effort! The campaign aims to highlight that for young children sometimes the consequences of flu can be serious and can lead to problems such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis ). So, driving awareness of these consequences and the free access they have to this vaccine is key.
The children’s flu vaccine, administered as a free nasal spray to of all children 2-12 and children aged 13-17 at high risk of flu, is accessible at local GPs, participating pharmacies, and, for the first time this year, in participating schools across the country.
Alarming Statistics
During the 2022/2023 flu season, a staggering 1,274 children were hospitalized with the virus. Despite these alarming statistics, recent research conducted by Empathy Research on behalf of IPA has revealed that over four in 10 parents (44% ) hesitate to vaccinate their children against winter flu.
Research Findings:
IPA’s research with Empathy Research uncovered insights into parental attitudes toward the children’s flu vaccine:
Females (49% ) exhibit a higher likelihood of hesitancy compared to males (38% )
Parents aged 34-44 (53% ) and those in Connacht/Ulster (56% ) are more likely to express hesitancy.
Over six in 10 parents who hesitated (62% ) expressed concerns about potential adverse reactions, while just over a quarter (26% ) believed that the flu does not have serious consequences in children.
More than half (51% ) of parents reported that their children missed school days in the last year due to flu or its complications. The impact of these missed school days includes significant learning opportunities lost (57% ) and parents having to take time off work to care for their children (36% )
Awareness of Flu Consequences:
Slightly over half (51% ) of parents are aware that flu can have severe consequences in children, such as ear or respiratory infections.
More than three-quarters (77% ) of parents are aware that children are significant flu spreaders, capable of longer contagious periods compared to adults.
The ‘Flunited’ campaign, seeks to empower parents and guardians with the knowledge and resources they need to safeguard their children and communities against the flu.
This flu season, all children aged 2-12 years will be offered the flu vaccine free of charge at participating schools, pharmacies, and GP practices. Children aged 13-17 at high risk of flu can also get the children’s nasal flu vaccine for free. Please speak with your pharmacist or GP to see if your child is eligible.
For more information, visit www.irishpatients.ie and https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/childrens-flu-vaccine/.
Some primary school children will be offered the free nasal flu vaccine in school by HSE vaccination teams. You will be contacted about this by your local team. The HSE also reassures parents that children can safely receive the flu vaccine alongside other recommended vaccines.
