Hazel Richards, Director of Nursing, NHS England (Cheshire & Merseyside), has joined forces with local mum, Michaela Evans to encourage parents to get children with long term health conditions vaccinated against flu this winter.  Michaela and her son Jonathan, have recorded a short video message, talking about flu and the flu vaccination.

Jonathan, is 12 years old and has asthma.  Both he and his mum are well aware how serious the flu virus could be for him.

Hazels Richards said:  “Most children with long term health conditions are usually well managed but should they get the flu it can worsen their condition leading them to be very ill with serious health complications and in some cases ending up in hospital.

“As a nurse I don’t like seeing children seriously ill with flu on top of their long term health condition so please get your children vaccinated this winter.”

Flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people.  The flu vaccination is available free of charge to all children with long term health conditions and is given in the form of a nasal spray to anyone aged 16 and under.

Jonathan’s mum, Michaela said: “I wouldn’t want him to catch the flu on top of his asthma.  He has had his vaccination against the flu this year already.

“I would encourage any parent who has a child with a long term health condition to have their children vaccinated against the flu.  It’s a simple spray up each nostril, which is painless and takes seconds to do.”

The local NHS is sharing the film clip on-line; it can be found at https://youtu.be/aZZ6SY0Kpow.

You can find more information about the flu vaccine at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/  and by following Facebook @NHSCMLSC or @NHSEnglandNorth on Twitter #SWTWNW