VACCINATIONS have helped many of us to return to a next to normal life, but cases of coronavirus are still having a disruptive effect on our schools and childcare settings.

With winter approaching, bringing with it the season of colds, it’s often hard for parents to know the right thing to do.

We’ve asked the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board for the latest advice.

When it comes to attending school or childcare, the guidance is for youngsters with mild cold-like symptoms to continue to go to school, if fit to do so. If your child develops symptoms of Covid-19 (a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of/ change in taste or smell), they should remain at home, and parents are advised to arrange a test and ensure self-isolation guidance is adhered to.

If your child has been identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19 and has been advised to take a PCR test, they can still attend school or childcare providing they are not displaying symptoms.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 or has any of the Covid-19 symptoms should self-isolate and not attend school.

Testing

With regards to testing, secondary school students should continue to undertake twice-weekly lateral flow tests and record their results.

If your child has been identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19, children aged five and over will be advised to take a PCR test on days two and eight.

Primary school children who live with a household member who has tested positive for Covid-19 are advised to take a PCR test on days two and eight.

Secondary school/college pupils who live with a household member who has tested positive for Covid-19 are advised to undertake daily Lateral Flow tests for seven days (every morning before attending school/college). This is in addition to PCR tests on days two and eight.

Children under five years old are no longer required to undertake PCR tests, however, it is still possible to book a PCR test if your doctor advises it or you feel it is completely necessary for your child. If your child has any of the main Covid-19 symptoms, they should not attend school or childcare until their symptoms have resolved.

Covid-19 Vaccinations

It is very likely that vaccination will help reduce the spread of Covid-19 in schools and reduce, but not stop, education disruption. It may take a few weeks for your body to build up some protection from the vaccine. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective– some people may still get ovid-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe.

Anyone aged 12 or over who is registered with a GP in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area is eligible for a Covid-19 vaccination. Those aged 12-15 years who have not yet had their Covid-19 vaccination can attend a walk in clinic on Sunday October 31 2021. Anyone over 16 years old who has yet to take up the offer of a vaccination or is due their second dose can arrange one by visiting abuhb.nhs.wales/coronavirus.

Flu vaccines

Children aged two and three years old (age on August 31, 2021) and those in school years reception to year 11 are eligible for a flu vaccine. Eligible children should be contacted by their GP surgery or school nurse. If you think your child might have missed their vaccine, contact the school nurse if they are school aged, or GP surgery if they are not in school.

Most children and young people will get a nasal spray vaccine as this is the best flu vaccine for them. It is a fine mist sprayed up the nose, and can be given from the age of two.

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When your child is unwell

  • Treat at home- A number of accidents at home can be treated with basic first aid, so it’s important to keep a first aid kit at home or in your car. Many pharmacies sell ready-made first aid kits.
  • Visit a pharmacy for common problems such as head lice, nappy rash, teething, threadworm, oral thrush, verrucca, chicken pox or conjunctivitis. These minor ailments can be treated for free at a local pharmacy under the Common Ailments Scheme- speak to your pharmacist for details.
  • Contact your GP if your child has a non-urgent illness or concern that can’t be treated at home. Your GP surgery should be your first port of call for non-urgent illnesses – they can refer your child to hospital if needed. If your child becomes unwell outside of their GP Practice’s opening hours, you can get a GP Out of Hours appointment by calling 111.
  • Go to a Minor Injury Unit at Nevill Hall, the Royal Gwent, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr or Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan Hospitals, if your child (age over one year) has minor wounds, burns or scalds/ insect bites/ minor limb injuries/ minor head or face injury/ minor eye injury/ foreign bodies in the nose or ear.
  • Call 999 or go to The Grange University Hospital if your child has a life-threatening illness or serious injury (all children under one year old will need to go to The Grange University Hospital for minor injuries).

Call 111 for help and advice if your child is unwell and you are unsure what to do.

Visit abbhealthiertogether.cymru.nhs.uk for useful advice for parents, young people and expectant parents on a range of different healthcare topics, from pregnancy, labour and newborns, to growing up, tantrums, fussy eating and mental health.

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