Special clinics to help protect youngsters against seasonal viruses and high risk infections are being held in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend.
With the national push now being made for children between the ages of six months and five years to have the swine flu vaccination, GP practices and health facilities across the ABM area are working in partnership to hold dedicated vaccination clinics.
As well as the swine flu vaccine, the Rainbow Clinics are a chance for parents to get their young ones protected against other infections and viruses that can have considerable complications for children – examples include MMR and Meningitis.
The aim is for parents to pick up on any routine childhood vaccinations their child might have missed, all in one place, in a one-stop-shop approach.
The Rainbow Clinics are taking place on:
Swansea: Wednesday 27 January 2010 and Wednesday 3 February 2010
Bridgend: Tuesday 19 January 2010 and Tuesday 2 February 2010
Neath Port Talbot: Tuesday 19 January 2010 and Tuesday 26 January 2010
Parents should contact their GP surgery to make an appointment.
The clinics are available to children who have reached the age of six months, and were under five years of age on 7 December 2009.
ABM Medical Director Dr Bruce Ferguson said: “Children up to the age of five are particularly vulnerable to the swine flu virus, even when there are no underlying health conditions.
“In general we know that children under five have significantly higher rates of hospitalisation than children aged five to fifteen.
“While the number of cases of swine flu in general has declined, it’s important that parents don’t become complacent because this virus could be around in our community in the long-term, if not this winter then possibly in the future.
“The seasonal flu vaccines that are already available don’t protect against swine flu, so this new flu vaccine has been developed and we want children to take it up.
“These clinics are a valuable opportunity for parents.
“To be able to have other routine child vaccines in the same place at the same time is a great service.
“A child might not have had their routine childhood vaccines yet for a number of reasons. These clinics aim to make it as easy as possible for families in our area.”
Dr Nimish Shah, Bridgend GP and Local Medical Committee Liaison Officer for Bridgend, added: “These are important vaccines and we’re keen for our young patients to have them.
“All of the infections that are in the childhood immunisation programme can develop into serious illnesses with the potential to cause disability or death.
“If most children are immunised, the spread of the infection in the community is significantly reduced.”
For more information visit www.abm.wales.nhs.uk
Swine Flu for Children Q+A
Why is it a good idea to get my child vaccinated?
Even if your child is healthy, it is important to get them vaccinated against swine flu. The vaccination will help:
- protect your child against swine flu
- protect your family and other people who are close to your child as it is less likely they will pass on the virus
- protect your child against future waves of infection caused by the swine flu virus
- reduce the spread of the virus.
Are there plans for introducing the vaccine to younger babies?
Neither of the swine flu vaccines used in the UK vaccination programme are licensed by the European regulators for use in babies under six months old.
This is partly because there are no data about the effectiveness or safety of the vaccines in babies below six months old, partly because it is so difficult to carry out vaccine trials with infants.
There are two vaccines – which one will my child be given?
The majority of children are likely to be given the Pandemrix vaccine.
However, if they have had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to eggs, they will be given the Celvapan.
How many doses of vaccine will my child need?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has advised that the dosage for children aged over six months and below ten years should be just one dose of Pandemrix (using half an adult dose) unless the child is immunosuppressed or has an immune deficiency. Children in this age group who are immunosuppressed or have an immune deficiency should receive two doses of Pandemrix (using half an adult dose) given at least three weeks apart.
Parents are advised to look for signs of fever following swine flu vaccination.
Children who require Celvapan will need two doses given at least three weeks apart.
Can the swine flu vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?
Yes, it is normal for a number of routine childhood vaccinations to be given at the same time, but they will probably be administered in different parts of the body.
Are there any side-effects?
All vaccinations can produce side-effects such as redness, soreness and swelling at the site of the injection. Flu vaccines can cause symptoms like fever, headache and muscle aches, but they are much milder than the flu itself and only last a day or so.
The swine flu vaccine is not live and cannot cause swine flu.
My child has already had swine flu. Does he/she still need the vaccine?
Only a small proportion of swine flu cases are confirmed by a laboratory test, so most people cannot be certain they have had swine flu. Young children should still have the vaccine, unless they have had a positive laboratory test for swine flu. It is safe to be vaccinated even if you have already had swine flu.
