Paediatricians say flu jab ‘imperative’ for children

Children between six months and 15 years should get vaccinated against the Type A flu, the Cyprus Paediatric Society said on Tuesday.

In a written statement, paediatricians said it is “absolutely imperative” for children to receive the flu jab, endorsing a relevant decision of the health ministry to include all children of this age group in the people who are recommended to be vaccinated.

“The special and unpredictable conditions prevailing with the continued presence of the Covid-19 pandemic make flu vaccination absolutely necessary for the child population,” the announcement said.

Children can get infected and often transmit the flu to vulnerable groups so they should be protected, the paediatric society added.

The possible outbreak and uncontrolled spread of these two infections this winter create the risk of comorbidity and “may test the readiness and ability of the health system to deal with serious cases,” the announcement said.

Vaccinations of vulnerable groups of the population against Type A flu will start at the beginning of October, through general practitioners (GPs).

According to the ministry, 180,000 vaccines have been ordered, 25,000 more than in 2020.