Clock is ticking to get your children protected from flu / Diogelu eich plant rhag y ffliw – mae’r cloc yn tician …

As more and more people are going to see their GPs with flu symptoms, health professionals in the Hywel Dda area are reminding parents of 2 and 3 year olds that time is running out to get their children protected against this disease.

Lynne Edwards, the Immunisations and Vaccinations Coordinator for the Health Board said, “We know that very young children can not only be badly affected by flu but they can also easily and quickly pass on the germs to others in their families who may be frail or suffering with a long term health condition like a bad chest or heart.

“The expiry date on supplies of the children’s vaccine that we have in our GP practices will soon be reached which means that now is the time to get your child protected. Its vitally important not only for them but also for the more vulnerable members of their family that they come into contact with.”

Craig Jones, Senior Practitioner in the local public health team said, “Having looked at the research and seen the damage that flu can do to people, I was left in no doubt that it was the right thing to do to get my two young children vaccinated as soon as I could. It was a quick and painless process as the vaccine is delivered as a nasal spray and not through a needle. I wanted to make sure that my youngest, Gethin, wouldn’t give the flu to his nan and granddad as it would have knocked them for six.”

Lynne also drew attention to the latest information released nationally showing that flu is circulating in our communities in West Wales. She said, “Public Health Wales data shows that the flu season lasts around 14 weeks and we are only into the early part of it. In order to really get the best protection for your child and family please check if they are eligible to receive the vaccination by going to www.beatflu.org and looking at the ‘Flu and Children’ page. If they are eligible then contact your GP surgery as soon as possible and make an appointment for your 2 or 3 year old to get vaccinated.”

Diogelu eich plant rhag y ffliw – mae’r cloc yn tician …

Gan fod mwy a mwy o bobl yn mynd i weld eu meddyg teulu oherwydd bod ganddynt symptomau o’r ffliw, mae gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol yn ardal Hywel Dda yn atgoffa rhieni plant dwy a thair oed mai prin iawn yw’r amser sydd ar ôl iddynt ddiogelu eu plant rhag y clefyd hwn.

Dywedodd Lynne Edwards, Cydgysylltydd Imiwneiddio a Brechu y Bwrdd Iechyd, “Rydym yn gwybod y gall y ffliw achosi i blant ifanc iawn fod yn dra gwael, ond mae plant hefyd yn gallu trosglwyddo’r germau, yn hawdd ac yn gyflym, i eraill yn eu teuluoedd a all fod yn fregus neu’n dioddef o gyflwr iechyd hirdymor, er enghraifft brest neu galon wael.

“Mae’r dyddiad daw i ben ar y cyflenwadau o’r brechlyn plant sydd gennym yn ein practisau meddygon teulu ar y trothwy, sy’n golygu mai ‘nawr yw’r amser i ddiogelu eich plentyn. Mae’r brechlyn yn hanfodol bwysig, a hynny nid yn unig ar gyfer plant, ond hefyd ar gyfer aelodau mwy agored i niwed eu teulu y maent yn dod i gysylltiad â nhw.”

Dywedodd Craig Jones, Uwch-ymarferydd yn y tîm iechyd cyhoeddus lleol, “Ar ôl edrych ar yr ymchwil, a gweld y niwed y gall y ffliw ei beri i bobl, nid oedd gennyf unrhyw amheuaeth mai imiwneiddio fy nau blentyn ifanc cyn gynted â phosibl oedd y peth iawn i’w wneud. Roedd yn broses gyflym a di-boen gan fod y brechlyn yn cael ei roi ar ffurf chwistrell yn y trwyn ac nid trwy nodwydd. Roedd arnaf eisiau bod yn siŵr na fyddai fy mhlentyn ieuengaf, Gethin, yn rhoi’r ffliw i’w fam a’i dad-cu gan y byddai wedi eu llorio.”

Tynnodd Lynne sylw hefyd at yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf a ryddhawyd yn genedlaethol ac sy’n dangos bod y ffliw yn cylchredeg yn ein cymunedau yng Ngorllewin Cymru. Dywedodd, “Mae data Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru yn dangos bod tymor y ffliw yn para am oddeutu 14 wythnos, ac nid ydym eto ond megis ar ddechrau’r tymor hwnnw. Er mwyn cael yr amddiffyniad gorau i’ch plentyn a’ch teulu, da chi gwiriwch a ydynt yn gymwys i gael y brechiad trwy fynd i www.beatflu.org ac edrych ar y dudalen ‘Y Ffliw a Phlant’. Os ydynt yn gymwys, yna cysylltwch â’ch meddygfa cyn gynted â phosibl, a gwneud apwyntiad i’ch plentyn dwy neu dair oed gael y brechiad.”