Back to school advice for parents in Wales to help protect against winter illnesses

As children in Wales prepare to return to school and nursery next week, public health officials in Wales are reminding parents to keep their children home if they are unwell and have a fever.

This is just one of several precautions parents can take to protect their children and reduce the spread of winter illnesses, such as Flu and Covid-19, which have seen an increase in recent weeks.

It is important for parents to be vigilant and ensure that their children are healthy before sending them back to school or nursery.

Flu and Covid-19 are currently circulating at high levels and an increase in cases of scarlet fever is also being reported.

Children who are unwell with a fever (a high temperature) should stay at home until they feel better and the fever is over.

Dr Graham Brown, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for Public Health Wales said; “It is also important to remind children about the importance of washing their hands to avoid germs spreading and to catch coughs and sneezes in tissues.”

“Adults should also try to stay home when unwell.”

“If they have to go out when unwell, it is a good idea to wear a face covering to protect others.”

Public Health Wales has said the flu vaccine is the most effective way to protect against catching the flu this winter.

Children in the UK are eligible for a free flu nasal spray, which has been proven to be safe and effective.

The nasal spray is available for all children in primary school, all children in secondary school from years 7 to 11, all children aged two or three as of 31 August 2022, and children aged six months or older with certain long-term health conditions that put them at higher risk for the flu.

It’s important to take advantage of this opportunity to protect your child’s health and reduce the spread of the flu in our communities.

For more information on vaccination, please visit: – Flu vaccine and COVID-19 Autumn Booster – Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)

For further information about RSV please visit: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Bronchiolitis | GOV.WALES