Greater Manchester's NHS is urgently appealing to parents in areas with low vaccination rates to take their children to additional flu clinics. This winter season has seen flu emerge earlier and strike harder than in previous years, with a more virulent strain increasing the likelihood of severe complications. The constantly evolving nature of the flu virus necessitates annual protection, underscoring the importance of yearly vaccination.

The impact of this severe flu season is already evident, with over 100 individuals in Greater Manchester hospitalized with flu at the beginning of December, a number that health leaders report is rising daily. National health chiefs have issued warnings that the peak of flu cases is not yet in sight, anticipating a continued surge in hospital admissions. In response, senior doctors in Greater Manchester are actively encouraging parents to utilize these extra vaccination opportunities to safeguard their children from serious illness.

Dr. Helen Wall, Clinical Director for Population Health at NHS Greater Manchester, emphasized the critical need for vaccination: “Every year thousands of people get really sick and end up in hospital from flu – and this year we are seeing it more than ever. That’s why we are holding free walk-in catch-up flu vaccination clinics for any two to three-year-olds who’ve not been vaccinated by their GP and school-aged children who have missed the vaccinations happening at their school or who are home-schooled – to ensure as many children as possible are protected.” Dr. Wall further highlighted that the vaccine remains the most effective defense against flu, and for most children, this involves a quick and painless nasal spray vaccine rather than an injection.

The free walk-in catch-up flu vaccination clinics will operate from Friday, December 12th, to Thursday, December 30th. These clinics are specifically for children aged two to three who have not received their vaccine from their GP, and school-aged children (from reception up to and including year 11) who either missed their school vaccination or are home-schooled. The clinics are strategically located in boroughs identified with particularly low uptake rates: Oldham, Tameside, Manchester, Salford, Bolton, and Bury.

While these specific walk-in clinics target certain groups, the broader eligibility for a free flu vaccine this year includes: pregnant women, all children aged two or three years, primary school-aged children (Reception to Year 6), secondary school-aged children (Year 7 to Year 11), individuals aged 65 years and over, people with certain long-term health conditions, care home residents, carers in receipt of carer’s allowance or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person, close contacts of immunocompromised individuals, and frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer-led occupational health scheme (including those in residential care, domiciliary care, hospice providers, and those employed by direct payment recipients like Personal Assistants). It is important to note that those whose school vaccination clinic is yet to occur should wait for their scheduled school vaccination.

Flu symptoms typically manifest rapidly and can include: a sudden high temperature (38°C or above), an aching body, feeling tired or exhausted, a dry cough, a sore throat, a headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhea or tummy pain, and feeling or being sick. Children may experience similar symptoms, in addition to ear pain and appearing less active.

For further information on the Christmas children’s walk-in catch-up flu vaccination clinics in Greater Manchester, parents can visit the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership website. These clinics operate on a walk-in basis, so no appointment is necessary. For any queries, individuals can contact Intrahealth at 03333 583 397 or email [email protected]. Additionally, parents of children aged two or three can explore making an appointment with participating pharmacies across Greater Manchester that offer the flu vaccine. A full list of these pharmacies and more comprehensive details about the flu vaccine and eligibility can be found on the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership website.