Thousands of children in Wales are not protected from flu, new figures from Public Health Wales suggest.

Parents are being urged to make sure that their children are protected as figures show 38,185 young people aged two or three are yet to get their nasal spray flu vaccine this winter.

Children are especially vulnerable to flu and its complications.

Dr Richard Roberts of Public Health Wales said:

“Children are ‘super-spreaders.’ They are very good at spreading viruses and potentially infecting others, so protecting them helps protect those around them too.”

The latest surveillance indicators show that, as of Wednesday January 15, there have been 1,350 confirmed cases of flu since October 2019.

The nasal spray flu vaccine is the best protection against flu for children of this age.

Flu spreads via droplets sprayed into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Direct contact with contaminated hands or surfaces can also spread infection – and flu can spread rapidly.

Dr Richard Roberts adds, “The flu virus is still circulating, and the nasal spray vaccination remains the single best way to protect your child from catching flu or passing it on to others.

“Flu can lead to further serious illnesses including bronchitis and pneumonia, so if your child was aged two or three on 31st August 2019 and they haven’t had their vaccine yet speak to your GP today as it’s not too late to get them protected.”

People across Wales can still get their annual flu vaccine free if they are aged 65 or over, or have a long-term health condition, including moderate to severe asthma

Pregnant women, Staff working in adult residential care homes, nursing homes, and in children’s hospices are also eligible for a free flu vaccination.

If you think you might have flu check your symptoms using the NHS Direct Wales symptom checker.

For more information, visit beatflu.org