From 1 September 2014, the flu vaccination programme has been extended to all two, three and four year olds.
The national flu immunisation programme for 2014/15 reveals that the programme has been extended to four year olds, on 1 September 2014, but not those older than five.
The date of birth should be on or after 2 September 2009 and on or before 1 September 2012.
In 2014/15 the following people are eligible for flu vaccination:
– those aged 65 years and over
– those aged six months to under 65 in clinical risk groups
– pregnant women
– all two, three and four year olds
– school-aged children in pilot areas
– those in long-stay residential care homes
– carers.
At least 12 geographical vaccination pilots in secondary school aged children in years 7 and 8 have also been added to the flu vaccine programme.
Although winter 2013/14 had low levels of flu, Public Health England has urged healthcare professionals not to become “complacent”.
The letter reads: “The annual immunisation programme is a critical element of the system-wide approach for delivering robust and resilient health and care services throughout the year, helping to reduce unplanned hospital admissions and pressure on A&E.
“The continuing extension of the programme to include vaccination of more children this year will not only provide protection to those children but also an increasing opportunity to interrupt transmission of flu to the wider population, thereby saving more lives.
“We are grateful for the efforts from all parts of the system towards the continued implementation of this important enhancement of the national programme.”
