SIX THOUSAND toddlers were put in hospital by this illness last year - how to avoid it

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

More than 6,000 two and three-year-olds were put in hospital last year by one illness. Greater Manchester health leaders are launching a campaign to make sure parents know how to avoid it.

Children aged two to three have one of the highest flu related hospitalisation rates. Last year alone more than 6,000 in England hospitalised and many more needed care in accident and emergency - but despite this, uptake in flu vaccines for two to three year olds in recent years has been falling, leading to lower levels of immunity among children which can make flu outbreaks more likely and place vulnerable people at greater risk, says a Greater Manchester GP.

GPs across Greater Manchester are able to give young children a nasal flu vaccine rather than an injection to make the experience easier and less stressful.

The vaccine helps to provide early protection to reduce the child’s chance of needing hospital care by around two-thirds and helping to prevent it spreading among vulnerable family and friends. READ MORE: Shop workers rush to help after boy, 16, struck by police vehicle READ MORE: The top stories across the M.E.N.