Your trusted source

The incidence of acute respiratory infections and influenza among children has increased in Armenia, pediatrician Mari Darakchyan told a news conference on Thursday.

According to Darakchyan, the head of the Neonatal Department of Grigor Narekatsi Medical Center, children are more likely to get sick in the autumn and spring seasons due to the fact that they spend more time in closed and poorly ventilated places.

The doctor stressed the importance of not sending infected children to school or kindergarten and maintaining proper thermal conditions in the room where the child is located in an effort to prevent the spread of the disease.

“You should keep your children at home, give them plenty of fluids and not give them antibiotics especially without a doctor's prescription,” she said.

The pediatrician states vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza, adding it’s provided free by Armenia’s polyclinics.

According to Darakchyan, the flu vaccine only protects against the influenza A and B viruses, adding children should get vaccinated in fall to avoid getting sick during winter.

Reflecting on the claims that many parents refuse to vaccinate their kids, the doctor said: “Today some European countries do not allow only parents to decide whether or not to vaccinate their children. Today a policy needs to be adopted to raise awareness among parents for them to realize the importance of vaccination for children.”