Paediatricians urge parents to vaccinate their kids against the flu

PAEDIATRICIANS are urging parents to vaccinate their children against the flu over the next couple of weeks, as the jab becomes free from this week.

PAEDIATRICIANS are urging parents to vaccinate their children against the flu over the next couple of weeks, as the jab becomes free from this week.

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Last year’s record flu season claimed the lives of five children and saw almost 1700 young people admitted to hospitals around the country.

Royal Children’s Hospital paediatrician Dr Margie Danchin said most children who became seriously ill with the flu last winter had been perfectly healthy before catching the virus.

More than 10,000 Victorian children caught the flu last year, with babies most likely to need treatment in intensive care.

Riordan O'Donnell, 5, prepares for his flu injection at the Royal Children's Hospital.

“As adults we often think healthy kids can shake off illness quickly,” Dr Danchin said.

“But it is not that way with a virus like the flu.

“Healthy kids can become sick very quickly and kids under five are the group most likely to be admitted to hospital.”

Dr Danchin said the optimal time to be vaccinated was now through to early May.

From this month, vaccinations are free for all Victorian children aged between six months and five years for the first time this year.

Kids receiving the vaccine for the first time need two doses, as do children aged under nine who are being immunised for the first time.