Flu & COVID-19 Information for Parents
Dear Parent,
The COVID 19 pandemic has caused a lot of anxiety and uncertainty. It is a new world for all of us, trying to deal with living along with the risk of the virus. We have had many queries to the surgery already regarding children in particular and we wanted to put together some useful information for parents. There is a lot of information going around at the moment and we hope that this will help to signpost you to some reliable information, that easy to understand and apply. As always, we are available and if you need help please phone the Surgery for advice and support.
Flu Vaccination
The Nasal Flu vaccine has been recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee for all children and is being funded for all children between the ages of 2 – 12. We will be able to give the flu vaccine in the surgery from the middle of October when it becomes available and it will be free for all children between the ages of 2 -12.
This vaccine is not an injection but is a spray into both nostrils for your child. It is not usually painful or particularly upsetting. The vaccine usually only requires 1 dose except in special circumstances and covers 1 year (ie it must be given as 1 dose each year for ongoing protection.)
There are a number of reasons why the vaccine should not be given including Severe allergic reactions to previous flu vaccines or any of its contituents, very severe asthma (requiring regular steroid tablets by mouth) or current exacerbation of asthma, use of Aspirin or salicylate medications, certain types of chemotherapeutics, pregnancy, severe neutropenia or significant immunosuppression as a result of a treatment or disease or if a household contact of a person with severe immunosuppression requiring isolation.
This vaccine first got its licence for use in 2003 and has been given to children in the US since then. It has been offered to children in the UK since 2013. Millions of doses have been given in the UK and USA. The potential side effects of the vaccine are generally very mild and include a blocked or runny nose, headache and muscular aches. Occasionally a child may get a fever but all the side effects are usually easy to treat with calpol and nurofen. Importantly if a child gets mild side effects consistent with the vaccine they do not generally need to self-isolate or have covid testing unless there is a reason for concern. Full information regarding the vaccine is available through immunisation.ie and the link is below.
Influenza is an important illness and, while it is usually a mild disease, children are more likely than adults to get a severe version of the Influenza which can be very dangerous. Children are often spreaders of the flu virus to each other and to vulnerable adults. The potential of a surge of COVID 19 and Influenza cases over this winter could place considerable strain on the health service to cope and provide care to affected patients.
Further information regarding the Influenza and the Flu vaccine is available in the useful links below.
We will be running clinics to administer the vaccine safely and to observe social distancing precautions. There will be some logistical issues in providing the vaccine while adhering to social distancing guidance but we will be putting a plan in a place to deliver it safely. We plan to run Thursday afternoon clinics in October (once the vaccine is available) to administer the vaccines but this may change based on demand. We may be using upstairs facilities to administer the vaccine so if you will not be able to climb a flight of stairs please let us know so that we can facilitate on the ground floor.
Covid 19
Regarding COVID 19 we wanted to give some simple advice and also to create some links to reliable information. The information here is by no means exhaustive but hopefully will be practical and help to link to further information where necessary. In general, the basic advice is still the most important and our best protection against the spread of COVID 19. This is to practice social distancing, good cough etiquette and hand hygiene and to keep your number of contacts to the minimum possible. Try to make good decisions about how and where you spend your time, avoid crowded places and try to keep meetings outdoors as much as is possible in our climate. Unfortunately, it is impossible to eliminate any risk but the aim is to reduce risk as much as possible. Below is the link to the HSE website which gives information on basic steps to reduce the risk of getting COVID 19 for you or your family.
Please note that advice regarding COVID 19 and referral for testing if indicated is free of charge.
As we approach the winter months there is likely to be an increase in respiratory illnesses as we see every year. It will often be difficult to tell the difference between an early or mild COVID vs other respiratory infections. This will likely lead to some disruption of work and school in the future as we try to treat patients and control any risk of spread. This is a new illness but hopefully as we become more experienced, we will be able to refine or protocols to keep people safe and minimize disruption.
The most important symptoms that will likely require COVID testing are;
- Fever
- New Cough
- Shortness of Breath
- Change in sense of taste or smell
- Deterioration in existing respiratory condition
- Contacts with a known case of COVID
A new cough will at times require some interpretation whether it is a true new cough vs clearing throat or sneezing (with a runny nose for example)
If you or your child has these symptoms then you will likely be referred for testing. All members of the household will have to restrict their movements until the result of the test is back.
The second possibility is a period of observation for 48 hours. This is usually if you or your child does not meet the criteria for testing but has some symptoms or has required calpol or nurofen. This is to give time to see if the illness develops to the point that it would require testing or if it settles down.
The third possibility is that there isn’t any need for testing or observation. Generally, if a child has a slight runny nose only with no other symptoms then they can go to school/Creche.
It is important that we remain aware of other causes of illness and do not get affected with “COVID Tunnel Vision” Other illnesses such as Croup, tonsillitis, urinary tract infections, Chicken pox, appendicitis will be present this year as with any other year. If you have concerns please mention them to us.
If you or your child is unwell and needs to be reviewed then we can arrange that either in the surgery, Emergency Dept or in a COVID 19 Assessment Hub depending on the most appropriate. If you have concerns and feel that you or your child need to be reviewed please make sure to tell us so that we can make appropriate arrangement. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment may be necessary for face to face consultation.
If COVID testing is indicated then ALL members of the household will have to restrict their movements until the result of the test is back and then proceed according to the result. Testing is arranged by us in the surgery sending through a request form with a mobile phone number. You should then receive a text message with a time to attend for testing usually at the Army Barracks in Tralee but this may change. At present it is a drive through test service in which the testing is done through the window of the car. If you do not have transport please let us know so we can make arrangements. Only members of the same household should provide transport to and from the testing centre.
Links regarding information on how to self-isolate and how to restrict movements will be included in the useful links below.
If you require social welfare certificates because of isolating relating to concerns about COVID please discuss this with us. Social Welfare Certs for COVID can be claimed from day 1 and do not require the 7 day wait before starting that has previously been the case. Please see below link to the revenue website for further information and for applying for COVID 19 self-isolation payments.
Kind Regards,
Drs Edmond, Wiebke and Brian.
Useful Links
- HSE Advice on COVID 19: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
- HSE detailed advice on managing sick children for parents and medical staff: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/algorithms/COVID-19%20Assessment%20and%20decision%20making%20pathway%20for%20all%20children.pdf
- Self Isolation advice: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/managing-coronavirus-at-home/self-isolation.html
- Restricting Movements: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/managing-coronavirus-at-home/if-you-live-with-someone-who-has-coronavirus.html
- Isolation quick guide: This guide is only for children from 3 months to 13 years but similar principles apply for patients of other ages. It is advice on who needs to self isolate or who needs to restrict movement. Seek advice if uncertain. https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/algorithms/Isolation%20quick%20guide.pdf
- Social Welfare COVID 19 Payments: https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/covid-19-payments/illness-benefit/
- Influenza and Nasal Flu Vaccine: https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/flu-vaccination/flu-vaccine-for-children/