Free flu vaccine clinics for children in Cork following rapid rise in flu cases

FOLLOWING the rapid rise in the number of reported flu cases over recent weeks, Cork/Kerry Community Healthcare has announced it will be holding free nasal flu vaccine walk-in clinics for children aged 2-17 years over the coming days.

Dr Nicola Murphy, specialist registrar in public health medicine explained that children are twice as likely to contract flu and remain infectious for longer when compared with adults.

"Young children, in particular, are more likely than adults to be very sick and admitted to hospital because of flu, "said Ms Murphy. 

Symptoms of flu in children include high temperatures, muscle pains, headache and extreme tiredness.

A study in the UK showed substantial reduction in the number of children who were hospitalised with flu in regions where primary school children were vaccinated.

Children are given the nasal vaccine by spraying it once into each nostril. It is a quick and painless process during which children can breathe normally, with many even reporting that it tickles when being administered.

The walk-in clinics are open to children aged 2-17 for a free nasal spray vaccine at two locations in Cork: Nemo Rangers GAA club today (Thursday, December 28) from 10am-2pm, and Newtown Vaccination Centre, Bantry on Friday, 29 December from 10am-3pm.