Parents have been urged to get their toddlers vaccinated against flu immediately to protect them from severe illness and prevent them from spreading the virus widely.
Under-fives with flu are more likely to be admitted to hospital than any other age group and are dubbed “superspreaders” because they infect so many people.
Two million children aged two to four are eligible for the free nasal spray vaccine from their GP but fewer than a quarter have received it so far, fewer than this time last year, the Department of Health said.
The chief medical officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, said: “Flu can be really nasty for toddlers, leading to time off nursery which has a big impact on mums and dads and sometimes even a stay in hospital.
“They also spread the virus easily and often pass flu to grandparents and other relatives who can become very ill, fast.
“Giving two, three and four-year-olds the free nasal spray really is in everyone’s interests if you want to help avoid a miserable winter for all the family.”
Half of mothers did not know the free spray existed or that children needed vaccinating every year, the health department said.
Under-fives are five times more likely to be admitted to hospital than 65-year-olds. Flu is particularly unpleasant for children, potentially causing a fever, sore throat, aching muscles, extreme tiredness and even complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Young children are more likely to spread flu because they tend to have more contact with others and are unlikely to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing or have their hands washed enough.
Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at Bristol University, said the main problem was lack of awareness. “If they could take the vaccine to nurseries it might kick things off,” he said.
