More data needed before all children get flu jab

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the Government on vaccination policy, said the current at-risk groups should remain a priority.

At present, over-65s, pregnant women and people with a serious medical condition, including children with such conditions, are eligible for a seasonal flu jab.

The illnesses include heart problems, chest problems such as asthma or bronchitis, kidney or liver disease, diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

In the US, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu vaccine for all children, including healthy youngsters, aged six months and older and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley had asked the JCVI to look at whether the UK flu vaccination programme should be extended.

It reviewed the evidence and said an initial study by the Health Protection Agency suggests it may be cost-effective to vaccinate healthy children to reduce the spread of flu.

“However, further data is needed before the committee is able to make a recommendation to Government on vaccinating healthy children,” it said.

But it said more information is needed on the availability of flu vaccines for children and further assessment is also needed of the impact on GPs and schools of vaccinating healthy children, and the resources needed.

The Government’s director of immunisation, Professor David Salisbury, said: “The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has said it is unable at this stage to recommend an extension of the flu vaccination programme as it needs further evidence.

“Extending the vaccination programme to all healthy children under 17 would be a huge undertaking, increasing the number of people who get the vaccine, so it is important that we get this decision absolutely right.

“A key consideration will be the availability, as the JCVI concluded, of a flu vaccine, given as nose drops, that would be more effective in protecting children against flu.

“But we need to understand from vaccine manufacturers how and when they would be able to produce the vaccine in the quantities we need.

“In the meantime, we continue to recommend that people in at-risk groups, 65s and over and pregnant women do get vaccinated – they are the most at risk from suffering complications.”

In May, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said 602 people in the UK died with a confirmed flu infection during the 2010-11 season including 83 fatalities in Yorkshire.

This year, the Government has confirmed five hospitals in England will be equipped to provide 30 beds for a high-intensity treatment for patients suffering flu.

All provided the treatment last year – known as extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) – but extra beds will be provided this year.

ECMO helps those patients with severe disease whose lungs or heart are not working properly, using an artificial lung to oxygenate blood outside the body.

The main ECMO centre – Europe’s largest – is based at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester but the other four units will be based at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London, Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Cambridge, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University Hospitals of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust.

The scheme costs around £10m to run and the services will be in place by December 1.

Mr Lansley said: “I am determined that patients should get the very best treatment, here in this country, and on the NHS.

“The investment we are making available today puts us ahead of the rest of the world in being able provide life-saving intensive care services to our patients, and means we are well prepared for a severe outbreak of flu this winter should this be necessary.”