The NHS in the North West is urging parents and guardians of young children to protect them from flu ahead of winter.

A surge in serious flu cases and hospitalisations in the under-fives has prompted the NHS to remind parents and guardians to bring their children forward for a free flu vaccination, as soon as they can.

Despite being invited by NHS England, just under 18% of two year olds and just over 20% of three year olds in the North West have received their flu vaccine so far this year.

National figures suggest that flu hospitalisations in young children are nearly 20 times as high as last year, with hundreds more hospitalised over the past six weeks.

The NHS is now writing to more than 800,000 parents and guardians nationally to remind them to take their children to get the vaccine, usually a nose spray, at a GP practice ahead of the festive period.

Tricia Spedding, Head of Public Health for NHS England – North West, said: “Young children are prolific spreaders of viruses, but having a flu vaccination can protect them from becoming seriously ill with flu, and can also help prevent them spreading the virus to others.

“We’re still in the early stages of the flu season and have already seen many more under-fives hospitalised than in previous years.

“The flu vaccine for children is a really quick, painless nasal spray. An injectable alternative is available to children who can’t have the nasal spray.”

Children born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2020 and all pregnant women can receive a free NHS flu vaccination.

It is recommended that pregnant women have the flu vaccination as they have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu. One of the most common complications is bronchitis. Catching flu can also cause the baby to be born prematurely or have a low birthweight.

The flu jab in pregnancy has been shown to be safe and effective, and women who have had their flu vaccine while pregnant pass on some protection to their babies.

Worryingly, data from the NHS in the North West shows that overall uptake of the flu vaccination among pregnant women has fallen by more than 11% since 2019.

Sarah who eight-weeks pregnant, got her flu jab while attending a routine antenatal appointment at Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

She said: “I’ve had two children previously and I’ve always been vaccinated through pregnancy. It’s very, very important to protect me and my growing baby.

“It’s quick, takes no time at all, and it doesn’t hurt, and it’s so important.”

The latest winter weekly data shows that there has been a 40% jump in the number of patients in hospital with flu nationally compared to the previous week, with an average of 482 flu cases in hospital each day last week, up from 344.

Tricia Spedding added: “If you’re pregnant, please don’t delay having your flu jab. Flu can make mums-to-be seriously unwell, especially with respiratory difficulties, and can also mean that babies are born prematurely or underweight.

“The flu vaccine is adapted most years to tackle the particular strain of flu that is the most prevalent in that year, so even if you have been vaccinated before, you’ll need the flu vaccine this winter.”