BARNSLEY is the top-performing area in the country for protecting its primary-aged children from flu, according to latest statistics which have been lauded by health bosses in the town.
Data released by the NHS, which ranks local authorities’ outcomes for adopting its national influenza vaccination programme, shows from September 1 of last year Barnsley topped the list of 153 councils.
The town outperformed others across the board in brackets such as four to five-year-olds; five to six; six to seven; seven to eight; eight to nine and nine to ten.
Of the 17,208 primary school children eligible for vaccination, 12,363 were given protection according to the figures, resulting in a 71.8 per cent uptake - more than 20 per cent higher than the national average.
About 90 schools in Barnsley have been involved in the scheme, although those who missed out have been told they can still arrange a vaccination.
Sarah Petherbridge, senior immunisation nurse at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Thanks to the work of the Barnsley children’s vaccination and immunisation team, more than 70 per cent of children in Barnsley are being kept safe from flu.
“All of the team go above and beyond to protect the youngest members of our borough and are so passionate about keeping our local community healthy.
“However, if your child was offered and missed the flu vaccination in school there is still time to get in touch with the team at the Cudworth Centre to arrange one.”
The full breakdown of the statistics shows just how successful the programme has been in the town, with the four to five-year-old age bracket recording top uptake numbers of 75 per cent.
However, five to six (74.8 per cent); six to seven (70.8 per cent); seven to eight (71.5 per cent); eight to nine (70.2 per cent) and nine to ten (69 per cent) are all considerably above the national averages for each age group.
National averages peak at just 49.6 per cent for four to five-year-olds, dropping to 43.7 per cent when primary school children leave at 11.
Coun Jim Andrews, cabinet spokesperson for public health at Barnsley Council, said: “It’s a great achievement that so many of our primary-aged children have had their flu vaccinations, something that’s been made possible through great partnership working.”
Young children are particularly vulnerable to highly-contagious flu and are deemed most likely to spread the illness to others, according to Public Health England, and a vaccination via a jab is one of the best forms of protection for them and the wider community.
Children aged two to three are also offered the nasal spray vaccine and Dr Nick Balac, chair of Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “This is a fantastic effort from parents, schools and the vaccination and immunisation team.
“Anyone who’s had flu knows how nasty it can be. Keeping these youngsters protected, and those who they come into contact with, particularly those at higher risk, is extremely important. We’re only halfway through winter and there’s still time to get the vaccine.”
