Children in the U.K. are gearing up return to school in September for the first time in almost six months.
Many parents will understandably be feeling a little anxious about keeping their kids safe and healthy, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic still ongoing, so Marc Donovan, Chief Pharmacist for Boots UK, has shared the top ways to support your child's immune system and help keep them protected as they head back to school.
Be Prepared
"Being organised and getting prepared for your children to return to school will help you feel more at ease. Label your children's belongings such as their bag, lunch box and water bottles with their names to avoid them getting mixed up," Marc recommends. "You can also make sure your children's bags are packed with the essentials to help them stay protected while out and about such as hand sanitiser and tissues. It might also be good to remind your children of the importance of coughing and sneezing into a tissue and then binning it straight away and to remember to regularly wash their hands for 20 seconds."
The Boots Back to School Bundles can help your child feel safe and prepared. You can choose from a selection of kids' vitamins, PHR hand gel and Skinny Dip face mask, while the Boots Personal Protection Kits are an all-in-one pack containing products ideal for popping into school bags.
Eating Well
"Eating a healthy, varied and balanced diet and making sure you drink plenty of water is a great way to support your immune system," he continues. "It is also important to make sure that there is plenty of fibre in your family's diet as this helps with digestion and also helps to feed the friendly bacteria in your gut. Over 70 per cent of the immune cells in our bodies are found in the gut."
Vitamins
"A vitamin supplement containing vitamins A, C and D is recommended by the Department of Health for children up to five years, and if your child is a fussy eater, you may want to consider one beyond that age," the expert advises. "From October, through the autumn and winter you should consider giving your child a daily vitamin D supplement as it's difficult to get enough of this vitamin from the diet and the sun isn't strong enough to make it at this time of year."
Staying Active
"Regular exercise like bike rides or walks and a consistent sleep routine will also promote a healthy immune system as well as our overall wellbeing," he says.
Flu Vaccination
"The best way to help protect yourself and others from catching and spreading flu is to have the flu jab every year," Marc states.
Free NHS flu vaccinations are offered to two and three year olds and also to all school children aged up to 12 - not only to help protect the children against flu but to help stop them spreading the infection to their family and the wider population. Private vaccination services are available for children aged 11-16 and adults.
Both NHS and private flu vaccinations will be available in selected Boots pharmacies from 17 September.
