Parents urged to vaccinate children over half-term as flu cases rise

"Getty Images Parents are being urged to get their children vaccinated against flu over half-term as the NHS warned of rising cases of the disease. There is an early flu season, health officials say, and the latest data for England showed cases and hospitalisations were increasing. NHS England said many school children will have already received the vaccine at school but there are still options for those who have not, including pop-up clinics."

"Dr Fari Ahmad told BBC Breakfast that while she was seeing cases, "I don't think we've quite hit the peak yet". "With flu, this is a war we have every year. Flu is unpredictable, it still kills people and every year we try to get enough people vaccinated so that when the big surge comes we are not decimated," she said."

An early flu season has produced rising cases and hospitalisations across England, with increased activity particularly among children. Many school-age children have already received the nasal-spray vaccine at school, while others can be vaccinated through GP surgeries and pharmacies for preschoolers or at local pop-up clinics. Pop-up clinics are being held in community venues such as bowling alleys and fire stations. Vaccination remains the primary protection against severe illness because the influenza virus changes each year. Health officials describe the early rise and concentration of cases in children as worrying and urge parents to ensure children are vaccinated before a larger surge.

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