Flu vaccinations for children and young people
Children can easily catch and spread flu, which can be a nasty illness. Keep them protected with the flu vacciantion this winter.
The free children’s flu vacciantion – a quick and painless nasal spray – is safe and effective.
It will help your child stay stay happy, healthy and well.
Why should my child have the flu vacciantion?
Flu can be extremely serious, even for healthy children. It can lead to other problems such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
The vaccination reduces the chances of your child having time off school or needing hospital care.
It also helps to stop flu spreading to friends and family who could be very unwell if they catch it. This includes older grandparents and babies.
Flu viruses change every year, so make sure your child gets their flu vaccination each year.
The flu vaccination for two to three years olds is available from early September. You will be contacted by your child’s GP practice to book.
The vaccination is a quick and painless spray in each nostril.
The nasal flu spray contains a small amount of gelatine from pigs (porcine gelatine).
If you would prefer your child to have a vaccination which does not contain gelatine, an injection is available. You can ask for the injection at your GP practice.
The flu injection may also be more suitable for children with allergies and other medical conditions.
Some pharmacies in Greater Manchester are offering the nasal flu spray for two-three year olds. You can find a participating pharmacy here.
School aged children (from reception to year 11) are given the flu vaccine as a quick and painless nasal spray at school. Make sure you sign the consent form.
The nasal spray vaccine contains a small amount of gelatine from pigs (porcine gelatine).
If you would prefer your child to have a vaccination which does not contain gelatine, an injection is available. Make sure you tick this box on your consent form.
The flu injection may also be more suitable for children with allergies and other medical conditions.
What if my child misses their vacciantion at school?
Call IntraHealth on 0333 3583 397 to arrange an appointment.
- Children who are home-schooled will be invited twice by IntraHealth and offered a flu vaccine at a community clinic.
- If your child is four years old, but has not started school, ask their GP practice for their flu vaccination.
October half-term flu vacciantion clinics
There are also a number of half-term flu vacciantion clinics for school age children during October half-term. Find one near you.
Children with long-term health conditions
All children aged six months to 18 with certain long-term health conditions can get the flu vaccination this winter. The Covid vaccination is also available for people who are immunosuppressed.
Speak to their GP surgery or specialist.
Vaccines FAQs
Yes, vaccines are safe.
All vaccines are thoroughly tested to meet high safety standards.
It often takes many years for a vaccine to make it through the trials and tests it needs to pass for approval.
Children aged 2–3-years-old and school-aged children are given the flu vaccine as a quick and painless nasal spray.
The nasal spray vaccine contains a small amount of gelatine from pigs (porcine gelatine).
If you would prefer your child to have a vaccination which does not contain gelatine, then an injection is also available. Make sure you tick this box on their consent form. The flu injection may also be more suitable for children with allergies and other medical conditions
The nasal spray contains viruses that have been weakened to prevent them from causing flu but, will help your child to build up immunity. This means your child will be better able to fight off flu.
The vaccine is absorbed quickly in the nose so, even if your child sneezes immediately after having had the spray, there’s no need to worry that it hasn’t worked.
No, the nasal spray is quick and painless.
Yes. Viruses change and protection fades over time, so it is important to top up your protection.
Your child may experience mild side effects after their vaccination. This is because vaccines work by triggering a response in a person’s immune system.
Most side effects are very mild and only last a short time.
If your child misses their vaccination at school, you can call IntraHealth on 0333 3583 397 or email contactimms@intrahealth.co.uk to arrange an appointment.
Children who are home-schooled should be offered a flu vaccine at a community clinic. Children who are 4 years old but have not started school can get the flu vaccine at their GP practice.
Vaccinations are important all year round
Infectious diseases can be very serious in babies and young children. That’s why your child is offered free and safe NHS vaccinations.
We’ve set out the vaccines your child should have and when on our childhood immunisations page.
