Catherine Conlon: Vaccinating kids against flu is key to avoiding hospital overcrowding 

Uptake rates of the free, nasal spray vaccine remain persistently low, writes Catherine Conlon

Increasing vaccine uptake from the low levels of previous years could be a key component to keeping children, as well as everyone they are in contact with, well this winter. Picture: Getty

The nasal spray flu vaccine is now available for children aged two to 12 free of charge as well as to children aged 13 to 17 who are at high risk of flu. It is widely available for both age groups from GPs and pharmacies across the country.

The HSE is also extending the programme to children in senior infants as well as all children in primary-age special schools.