The children’s flu vaccine helps protect against flu. It’s offered to children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions. Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also helps protect others who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies, anyone who’s pregnant and older people.
How to get your child vaccinated
Children aged 2 or 3 years
Children who are aged 2 or 3 years on 31st August 2024 (born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2022) will get the flu vaccine at our Practice.
We are running a large clinic on Saturday 21st September 2024 and some small mop-up clinics throughout the following weeks. Invitations will be going out via SMS initially from week commencing 9th September. The text message allows parents to book directly into an appointment, or they can call the Practice on 01630 652158 as normal.
Please read the section below regarding any child who cannot have the nasal spray, speak to the nurse at the appointment if you are unsure.
School-aged children (Reception to Year 11)
The majority of school-aged children will be offered the vaccine by their school. If the child misses their vaccination or are home-schooled. There are community catch-up clinics run by Child Health. Please speak to the school, School Nurse or Child Health regarding these. The GP Practice will be unable to offer the vaccine to this cohort of children, as we are not given enough supply to do so.
Children with long-term health conditions
Children with certain long-term health conditions that put them at higher risk from flu can get a flu vaccine from their:
- school (if they’re in Reception to Year 11)
- GP surgery
If your child is in Reception to Year 11, they should get an invitation from their school to have the vaccine, usually during the autumn term.
If your child is not in school, or you want to vaccinate your child earlier than when it’s offered at school, contact us on 01630 652158 in autumn or early winter to book an appointment. The receptionist will check your child’s eligibility and offer an appointment as appropriate.
Health conditions for flu vaccine eligibility
This includes children aged 6 months to 17 years who have:
- conditions that affect their breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets) or cystic fibrosis
- had a lung or airways infection in the past that meant they needed to stay overnight in hospital
- serious heart conditions
- kidney or liver disease
- some conditions that affect their brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy
- diabetes
- a weakened immune system due to a condition or treatment, such as HIV or AIDS, chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with their spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if they’ve had their spleen removed
- a learning disability
If your child has a health condition and you’re not sure if they’re eligible for the flu vaccine, speak to their GP surgery or specialist.
Who Cannot Have the children’s flu vaccine
Most children who are eligible for a flu vaccine can have the nasal spray.
But some children may be offered the injected flu vaccine instead if they:
- are under 2 years of age
- have had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the nasal spray vaccine
- have had a serious allergic reaction to an ingredient in the nasal spray vaccine, including gelatine, neomycin or gentamicin
- have a severe egg allergy that’s needed intensive care hospital treatment
- have a severely weakened immune system, or live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system (for example, someone who has had a bone marrow transplant)
- have asthma that’s being treated with long-term steroid tablets or has needed intensive care treatment in hospital
- have had a flare-up of asthma symptoms in the past 72 hours, including wheezing or needing to use a reliever inhaler more than usual
- are having salicylate therapy
- have unresolved craniofacial malformation
Additionally, the vaccine contains trace amounts of pork gelatin, if this is contraindicated, the injected vaccine can be offered which is gelatine free.
If you think your child may need the injected flu vaccine you can speak to your GP, practice nurse or the school immunisation team.
If your child has had wheezing, breathing problems or increased their inhaler use in the 3 days before their appointment. Please defer the vaccine until they have recovered.
If they are currently on a course of antibiotics or have a completely blocked nose on the day of the appointment. Please call to re-arrange.
Further information
https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine