More teenagers getting flu vaccination is 'vital'
UK health officials are urging parents to ensure teenagers receive flu vaccinations after data showed a significant drop in uptake last winter. Experts warn that unvaccinated adolescents are major spreaders of the virus and face risks of serious complications.
Why it matters
Low vaccination rates among youth pose a public health risk, potentially increasing hospitalizations and community transmission during the winter months.
Health bosses say a "concerted effort" is needed to get more teenagers vaccinated [Reuters] More than 96,000 children aged four to 16 across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly did not get flu vaccines last winter, with more older children missing out, according to government figures.
Just over half of children aged four to 16 in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly had a flu vaccine last winter, with 53.1% of children vaccinated in Torbay, 56% in Plymouth and 60.4% in Devon, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
Dr Fiona Neely, UKHSA consultant in health protection, said children of primary and secondary school age were "among the biggest spreaders of the virus" and it was "concerning" fewer older pupils were vaccinated.
She added: "It's vital we turn this around."
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