BY JESSICA ROUSE
Children in the Hunter are now eligible for free flu jabs.
Children aged between six months and five years old are eligible under the NSW Government’s $3.5 million influenza vaccination program.
It comes after a severe flu season last year which saw the state record it’s worst flu season on record. In August last year, approximately 3,300 cases of flu had been recorded. Across the state the number of cases reached more than 12,000.
The vaccine will cover four strains of influenza virus, two A strains and two B strains, likely to be circulating this winter. If your child has never had a flu vaccination before they will need two doses, one month apart.
“We all know how horrendous the flu can be and this is especially hard on the smallest members of our family,” said Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald.
“Little kids are also most likely to spread the flu so a free flu jab will not only keep them safe, but will protect others they come into contact with.”
NSW childhood vaccination rates have increased by 6.3 per cent since 2010, to 93.9 per cent in 2017.
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Image kids.britannica.com |