Why your child should have the flu vaccine
Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children causing fever, extreme tiredness, aching muscles and joints, stuffy nose, dry cough, and sore throat. Complications of flu include acute bronchitis, painful ear infections, and pneumonia. Some children may need to go to hospital for treatment, including intensive care.
Flu nasal spray vaccinations for 2-3-year-olds, school-age children (reception to year 11) and children in clinical risk groups will be available from September each year. The spray is quick and painless.
The children’s free flu nasal spray is quick, painless, and will prevent our son from getting seriously ill from flu.
Polly, Welwyn Garden City
Benefits of the vaccine
Having the vaccine will help protect your child from what can be a very nasty illness in children. Children under the age of 5 years have the highest rate of hospital admissions due to flu. It will also reduce the chance of others in your family, who could be at greater risk from flu, such as grandparents or those with long term health conditions, getting flu from your child. It can help you avoid having to take time off work, or other activities, to look after your sick child or if you become sick yourself.
Flu vaccines do not work well in babies under 6 months of age so it is not recommended. This is why it is so important that pregnant women have the vaccination – they will pass on some immunity to their baby that will protect them during the early months of their life.
School-aged children
Children at primary and secondary school (up to year 11) will be offered the flu nasal spray. Immunisation nurses will come to your child’s school. Please complete the online consent form you will receive through your school. If your child is not at school on the day the vaccination is given, you will be able to book an appointment with a nurse at a later date.