A leading Northern Irish health expert has welcomed recommendations that all children under the age of five receive the flu jab.

A team at the Health Protection Agency said that its research suggests that vaccinating children against flu would prevent the spread of the virus in the whole population.

An annual flu jab for the under-fives could reduce some types of infection by up to 70%, the team reported. They said immunising children would particularly protect the elderly.

Some youngsters already receive the flu jab, particularly those considered at risk, such as children with chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma. However, the HPA recommended that the vaccination be rolled out and made available to all children under five.

Dr Brian Patterson, chairman of the British Medical Association's Northern Ireland Council, said such a move would prove to be cost effective, but warned that work would be required to ensure enough vaccines are made available to meet demand.

And while, he said, the health of older members of the population would undoubtedly benefit from such a scheme, it would also have a positive impact on youngsters throughout Northern Ireland.

“I think the fundamental thing is that we should be vaccinating someone to protect that person. The fact that there is a spin off for the rest of the community is an added bonus,” he said.

“Vaccination of children is important because it protects the kids and it will save lives as well. The flu virus puts a huge demand on the health service, both on the primary and secondary care sector, and an investment in a vaccination programme of under-fives would be rewarded by the fact that people will not need treatment for the virus.

“Of course, the cost of the vaccination in terms of the people to deliver it, will be substantial but if it is done properly, it will be worth it and I believe that it certainly could be done.”

Dr Patterson said the success of such a programme would depend on adequate information being delivered to parents before the vaccination was offered to children.

“There needs to be a lot of information given to parents to make them realise the benefits,” he said.

A spokesman for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety said there are no immediate plans to introduce such a vaccination programme in Northern Ireland.