Perth parents are underestimating the serious consequences of the flu, with only 19 per cent of children under five years of age currently immunized against the virus ahead of the peak winter flu season.
Influenza is a highly contagious disease that can lead to life-threatening complications such as pneumonia, inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle tissues, and multi-organ failure, and children aged under two years of age at the highest risk.
“The younger you are, the higher the risk of being hospitalised with the flu, and this is because the first exposure to the virus is always the most severe, striking when the immune system is still developing strength,” said Dr Chris Blyth, Pediatrician and Infectious Diseases researcher from the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at The Kids Research Institute Australia.
“Influenza is the most common vaccine-preventable cause of hospitalisation and infection-related death, more common than whooping cough and meningococcal disease.
“The scary thing is that flu is unpredictable – last year we were lucky to have a mild season in WA but the eastern states experienced the worst flu season on record, with many thousands of children admitted to hospital.
Two-year-old Danny Bousaid spent over 2 weeks in hospital with the flu
“Sadly, we have already seen one young child lose their life from influenza in NSW, and we have no way of knowing how severe this flu season will be, so I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to have your children vaccinated.”
Dr Blyth led a national investigation into the devastating impact of the 2017 influenza season, and the results of this study led to all Australian states and territories following WA’s lead in providing a free flu vaccine for children under five years.
“The highest number of cases occur in late August each season, so it is not too late to vaccinate your child and protect them from a potentially deadly case of the flu,” said Dr Blyth.
“The flu vaccine is available for babies from six months of age onwards, and women are advised to receive the vaccine during pregnancy to provide protection to newborns in their most vulnerable first few months of life.
“It is especially important to vaccinate children with underlying medical conditions, and parents need to be aware that children need two doses of the flu vaccine in the first year they receive it, given one month apart.”