October half-term health | News and events

Health leaders in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough have offered important advice on how to keep the whole family well during October half-term and into winter.

Common winter bugs including norovirus (vomiting and diarrhoea), colds and flu are already in circulation. For many people, these will be mild and can be easily treated at home with rest and over the counter medication (such as paracetamol and ibuprofen) or advice from a pharmacist. 

For anyone who starts to feel unwell during the half-term week, NHS 111 can offer advice quickly and easily via 111.nhs.uk online, or through 111 over the phone. NHS 111 can direct you to the right service and support for your symptoms and is available 7 days a week, 24/7.

NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough are also recommending using the half-term break as an opportunity to make sure children are up-to-date on all their childhood vaccinations. The school flu vaccination programme has already started with hundreds of children across the county already vaccinated. For anyone whose child has missed this vital winter vaccination, catch-up sessions are taking place at schools or in local communities, so it’s important parents and carers sign consent forms which are sent out from schools.

Kath Rowe, Deputy Medical Director, at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, offers her expert advice: “October half-term is always a well welcomed break for children after starting their new school year. But as children have come back together again after the summer holidays, bugs and illnesses will be circulating amongst school age children. Lots of minor illnesses like coughs and colds can be treated at home. Your local community pharmacist can offer advice on a range of illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, ear infections and aches and pains.

“October half-term is a good opportunity to check that your child has had their flu vaccine this winter. All school age children from Reception to Year 11 can have a flu vaccine at school and the programme to vaccinate them has already begun. Look out for communication from your school and sign the consent form to make sure your child can have their vaccination. If they have missed getting vaccinated, catch-up sessions are taking place at most schools.”

For more information about vaccinations locally visit https://www.cpics.org.uk/the-vaccinators