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Flu vaccine now available for children in Luxembourg

What happened

Luxembourg has introduced a new general recommendation to vaccinate children against the flu between the ages of two and 17. Young patients may now obtain the nasal spray 'Fluenz' free of charge from their pediatrician or at the CHL children's clinic.

Why it matters

In countries such as France or Great Britain, health advice has long recommended the vaccine for all children aged 2–17, not just the medically vulnerable. Now, Luxembourg's Superior Council of Infectious Diseases and pediatricians have followed suit.

What people said

Dr Isabel De La Fuente from Luxembourg City's children's clinic said the goal is to protect children from infections or more severe illness, as even young patients could experience complications as a result of the flu.

Also today

• European Commissioner Michael McGrath met Luxembourg's Justice Minister Elisabeth Margue on Thursday, with the latest EU Rule of Law Report and 'EU Inc' on the agenda. A government statement noted the minister's satisfaction that Luxembourg's efforts to digitalize its judicial system were being recognized at EU level.
• G7 leaders held talks today to coordinate action on fuel prices, after the United States upped pressure on Europe to release its strategic reserves, threatening a diesel export ban.
• French high school students lit fires outside schools and faced off with police today as a protest movement that has forced the closure or disrupted education at nearly 600 schools showed no sign of abating.
• Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced his resignation effective 31 December, ending over a decade of ministerial service to allow for new energy in the government.
• Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar today shared how he averted disaster by opening the cockpit door during an attack by his co-pilot, allowing passengers and crew to regain control and safely land in Saudi Arabia.
• New York Attorney General Letitia James has been appointed special prosecutor to investigate an alleged gang rape at Cornell University, the state's governor announced, following an outcry over prosecutors' decision not to file charges two years ago.

On air

Harmony-rich pop, big guitars, and a healthy dose of 60s and 70s influence are heading to Luxembourg as The Lemon Twigs take over den Atelier on Saturday, 10 October. Led by brothers Brian and Michael D'Addario, The Lemon Twigs have spent the past decade building a sound that draws heavily on classic pop and rock. They arrive in Luxembourg with their latest album, Look For Your Mind!, released in May.

Figure of the day

A record 52% of Europe was exposed to intense heat stress during the exceptionally hot summer that seared the continent this year, the EU's climate monitor said today.

• Fueled by climate change, the world's fastest-warming continent endured a relentless series of heatwaves that began unusually early in the spring, shattering temperature records and causing tens of thousands of excess deaths.
• It was the continent's third warmest summer on record and the hottest for western Europe, with several countries reporting all-time temperature highs. Four of Europe's top 10 heatwaves occurred this past summer alone.

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