A Devon boy with Down's syndrome spent three weeks in intensive care due to the flu, prompting his parents to urge families to get their children vaccinated. Joel, from Torquay, was just five when he was rushed to Bristol Children's Hospital with a dangerously low heart rate. His father, Brian, believes that if Joel had been vaccinated, he wouldn't have needed hospital treatment. The incident comes as flu infections in Devon have risen since the start of 2026. Joel's parents noticed he was feeling unwell in March last year, and he was kept away from school for two days. However, by the weekend, his condition worsened, and he was taken to Torbay Hospital. Despite the paediatric team's efforts, Joel's heart rate couldn't be stabilized, and he was then transferred to Bristol Children's Hospital. There, he was intubated due to his inability to keep a mask on, as a result of his Down's syndrome. Joel spent three weeks in intensive care fighting the infection and was later fitted with a pacemaker. Pediatrician Dr. Niamh Lynch emphasizes that flu can be serious for any child, even those without underlying medical conditions. She advises parents to look out for red flags of illness and to trust their instincts as they know their children best. The latest figures show a rise in flu cases in Devon, with 92 people hospitalized with the flu across hospital trusts on January 4th, an 18% increase from the previous week. In Torbay, where Joel lives, the numbers show a steady climb, with nine people hospitalized with the flu on December 21st, rising to 16 by December 28th and 19 by January 4th. Joel has now fully recovered but must continue wearing a pacemaker. Brian believes that if Joel had received his flu vaccine on time, his hospital admission could have been avoided. He advises parents to take advantage of the NHS's flu vaccine offer, which is available to children aged two to three, school-aged children, and those with certain long-term health conditions. Dr. Alasdair Wood from the UK Health Security Agency notes that the southwest has one of the best vaccination rates in the country but emphasizes the importance of reaching those with low vaccination rates, such as pregnant women and people with long-term health conditions.
