NHS encourages parents to use the break to protect children from flu, measles, mumps, and rubella

With the half-term break in full swing, parents and carers are being strongly encouraged to catch up on essential vaccinations for their children. Health officials across the country are urging families to ensure that young children are protected against the flu, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), as both illnesses pose a significant risk during the colder months.

Flu, which can strike children particularly hard, often brings symptoms like high fever, stuffy noses, sore throats, and muscle aches, leaving many kids bedridden. Kate Langford, the Chief Medical Officer at NHS Kent and Medway highlighted the importance of staying on top of vaccinations. “Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children, causing fever, stuffy nose, dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints, and extreme tiredness,” she explained. “It is important that parents make sure children are protected as they can easily spread the illness among their friends and family.”

To combat this, the NHS is encouraging families who may have missed in-school flu vaccination appointments to book catch-up sessions through GP surgeries, pharmacies, or via the NHS website. These services make it easy for parents to ensure their children are vaccinated during the half-term break, taking advantage of a brief respite from school schedules. The NHS has long advocated for timely vaccinations as a way to protect not just the individual child but the broader community as well. Unvaccinated children are at risk of spreading these diseases to those who may be more vulnerable, including the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.

The campaign also includes a focus on the MMR vaccine, which protects against three serious diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. Outbreaks of measles have occurred in various parts of the UK in recent years, often attributed to a decline in vaccination rates. By keeping their children up to date on the MMR vaccine, parents can significantly reduce the risk of these outbreaks.

In Sussex, for instance, families can quickly check which vaccines are available to school-age children through local health authorities, ensuring they take full advantage of the resources available. Nationwide, the NHS website provides an easy-to-navigate system for booking vaccination appointments at a time and location convenient for each family.

The flu vaccine, which is often administered nasally to younger children, and the MMR vaccine can be administered at different times or together, depending on the child’s vaccination schedule. For children who have not yet had either vaccination, it’s important to discuss the options with a healthcare provider to ensure they’re fully protected before the winter months bring increased risks of infection.

This year’s push for vaccinations comes amid growing concerns about the strain that flu season, combined with rising cases of respiratory illnesses, could place on the healthcare system. Experts are warning that even mild flu seasons can lead to complications for young children, and catching the flu alongside another illness like COVID-19 can make recovery more difficult.

Parents are advised not to delay in scheduling their children’s vaccinations, as the protection offered by these vaccines is critical for keeping both the individual child and the community healthy. Catching up during half-term not only ensures children are better protected when they return to school but also helps to prevent the spread of these illnesses during the holiday season when families and friends are more likely to gather indoors.

In addition to GP surgeries, pharmacies are increasingly being used as a convenient way to access flu vaccinations for children. Many pharmacies are now equipped to offer this service, making it easier for busy parents to get their children vaccinated without the need for a doctor’s appointment.

The NHS is aiming for high uptake rates across all age groups, as vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of serious illnesses. By using the half-term break to catch up on vaccinations, families can help ensure that their children—and those around them—are protected during what promises to be a challenging winter season for public health