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Welcome to the September CHILDREN'S health & wellbeing bulletin

Welcome to the September edition on children's health and wellbeing. In this issue, the following topics are covered:

• Slush ice drinks danger
• Ban on high caffeine energy drinks to kids
• Window locks
• Free courses for parents, grandparents and carers
• New free chickenpox vaccine
• Measles
• Back at school vaccinations

Slush ice drinks danger

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a campaign to warn parents and caregivers not to give children under seven slush ice drinks or ‘slushies’ containing glycerol. 

In young children glycerol can cause:  

• Sickness 

• Headaches 

• Hypoglycaemia (low sugar in blood) 

• Shock 

• Loss of consciousness 

The FSA’s advice is that slush ice drinks that contain glycerol shouldn’t be drunk by children under seven, and under 10s should only be given one 350ml drink – that’s about the size of a fizzy drink can. Check with the seller about the drink’s glycerol content – don’t buy if in doubt.

Ban on selling high-caffeine energy drinks to kids

The government has announced a ban on selling high-caffeine energy drinks to boost kids' health. 

There is growing evidence linking these drinks to harmful effects on children, including disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, poor concentration and reduced educational outcomes

Window locks

Thirteen children under 11 years old died in the last six years after falling out of a window, according to new figures.

They weren’t protected by a window lock or restrictor because:

• One wasn’t fitted

• There was one, but it was broken

• There was one, but it had been disabled

Best advice is that if your window won’t lock, or you need to open the window wider because of heat or cooking, don’t leave young children alone in the room. If you have to leave the room take your child with you.

Henry - free courses for parents, grandparents and carers

Do you want to help your child eat well, move more and grow up healthy? Join a FREE HENRY workshop near you — for families with children aged 0–12, and pregnancy.

• Boost nutrition
• Build healthy habits
• Support your child’s wellbeing

For more information, visit www.dudleyparents.co.uk or use the QR code.

New free chickenpox vaccine

The government has announced that, starting next January, a free chickenpox vaccination will be offered for the first time to children across England on the NHS.

Young children in England will get a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.

Measles cases remain high

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging parents to book MMR vaccine catch-up appointments due to a significant increase in measles cases across England. Cases are mainly in children under 10. 

The UKHSA also warns that measles is highly contagious and can be serious, especially for vulnerable individuals, and encourages contacting a GP by phone if measles symptoms are suspected to avoid spreading the virus in healthcare setting.

Back at school vaccination drive

New UKHSA data reveals that 18.6% of children (almost 1 in 5) have not received their pre-school booster vaccination, leaving them vulnerable to serious diseases including polio, whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria when starting primary school.

To check if your child has missed any vaccines, look in their red book or speak to your GP practice.