Parents and carers of children with asthma are being encouraged to vaccinate their children before the start of the school year to help protect them from becoming seriously ill with Covid-19.
Dr Louisa Owens, paediatric respiratory physician and member of the National Asthma Council Australia Guidelines Committee said that as predicted, Covid-19 case numbers have increased substantially following Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“Australia’s Covid-19 vaccination program opened up to children aged 5 – 11 from 10 January and we are urging parents and carers of children with asthma to get their child vaccinated as soon as possible,” Dr Owens said.
“If parents are unsure about getting their child with asthma vaccinated, then we encourage them to make an appointment with their GP in January and have a discussion before their child starts the 2022 school year.”
A recent study of 2020 data on Covid in children from tertiary hospitals across Australia found that most children with Covid-19 had mild disease, however respiratory conditions were the number one comorbidity amongst positive children, with asthma the leading diagnosis. The study authors also stated that preventative strategies, such as vaccination, including children and adolescents, could reduce both the acute and postinfective manifestations of the disease.
Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) President Dr Karen Price backed the call for vaccinations for children with asthma and said that good asthma control is vital for children starting back at school.
“Our GP network is here ready to answer any questions that parents or carers might have about the Covid-19 vaccine for their child with asthma,” she said.
“January is also an ideal time to have a full asthma check-up including a review of your child’s Written Asthma Action Plan, medications and inhaler technique for relievers and preventers ahead of the February back-to-school asthma spike.”
The sharp rise in children being admitted to hospital with asthma in February each year is thought to be due to a change of environment or allergens, sharing a new set of bugs with classmates, which can trigger colds and respiratory infections and possibly missing preventer doses over the holidays.
