'He couldn't breathe, it was really scary' - Cornwall mum's terror as eight-year-old son is rushed to hospital with flu

A mum has spoken about the terrifying moment her eight-year-old son was rushed to hospital with flu and ended up on a ventilator in intensive care.

Janine Riley, from Cornwall, says Henry went from being a 'fit and healthy' schoolboy who loved playing rugby, to struggling to breathe properly or walk along a corridor.

Henry and his mum Janine have joined Public Health England's campaign. Credit: Public Health England

Read more: GPs urge vulnerable patients to get flu jab

All primary school children are now eligible for a free flu vaccination, and Public Health England wants to increase the rate of youngsters being given the nasal spray.

Parents will be asked to complete a consent form allowing their child to be vaccinated.

Around 60 percent of school aged children in the South Wet took up the vaccine last year.

Henry's mum says he was 'really lucky' to recover. Credit: Public Health England

Last year 62 per cent of school aged children had the vaccine in the South West.

If your child is in primary school they will be offered a free flu vaccination at the school.

The vaccine for children is no longer an injection; it is a simple nasal spray that takes a few seconds to administer.

However to be vaccinated, the flu vaccination school health team have to you’re your consent to give the vaccine and if this hasn’t been received your child may miss out.

People who are eligible for the flu vaccine this year include:

  • Adults aged 65 and over

  • Adults aged 18-64 with a chronic health condition

  • Children aged 2-3 via their GP practice

  • School children in years reception, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

  • Pregnant women

  • Health and social care workers

  • Carers

  • Morbidly obese people

For more information on the vaccine visit the flu pages on the NHS choices website at www.nhs.uk/child-flu