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14,500 babies and toddlers ill as flu cases soar by 84 per cent in four weeks - Burstow
December 9, 2003 10:37 AM
The number of cases of flu in babies and toddlers has almost doubled in the last month, according to new figures released today by the Liberal Democrats. As many as 14,500 under 4s caught flu or flu-like illnesses in November. Over the month the numbers with flu rose from 2,300 cases in the first week of November to over 4,300 cases in the last week of the month, an 84 per cent increase.
Latest figures obtained from the Royal College General Practitioners show that in November 2003 amongst infants and children under 4s the number of cases of flu and flu-like illnesses has increased from 76 to 140 per 100,000 of the population.
Liberal Democrat Health Secretary Paul Burstow MP commented:
"Ministers have failed to put in place a robust system for monitoring the take-up of flu vaccination for children. Yet during November the figures suggest a significant increase in the number of cases of flu amongst babies and toddlers.
"Urgent steps need to be taken to alert families with young children in at risk groups such as those with asthma. The experts tell us the current vaccine offers some protection even though it does not include the Fujian-like strain.
"Two or three years of relatively low levels of flu seem to have lulled the Government into a false sense of security. With flu rates amongst children rising rapidly it is probably too late to order a vaccine tailored for the Fujian-like strain. The straight question for Ministers is have they done all they could to protect young children from the flu this winter."
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