Why vaccinate? 30-50% of children are infected with flu and can spread the infection for up to 7 days; vaccinating your child reduces the risk of flu for family members, childcare providers and other children.
With COVID-19 in circulation, it’s more important than ever that eligible groups are vaccinated to protect them from flu. The flu vaccine is the best protection from the flu virus.
1. Protect your child. The vaccine will help protect your child against flu and serious complications such
as bronchitis and pneumonia
2. Protect you, your family and friends. Vaccinating your child will help protect more vulnerable family and friends
3. No injection needed. The nasal spray is painless and easy to have
4. It’s better than having flu. The nasal spray helps protect against flu, has been given to millions of children worldwide and has an excellent safety record
5. Avoid costs. If your child gets flu, you may have to take time off work or arrange alternative childcare
Are you eligible for a free flu vaccine?
You can get a free flu vaccine if you:
- are pregnant
- are a child aged 2–11 years old
- are a member of a shielding household
- are 65 years old or above
- are a frontline health and social care workers
- have certain long-term health condition (LTHC).
Ask your GP practice or pharmacist for more information.
- Find out more about all the vaccinations your child needs and when
- Find out how to access a GP or pharmacist.
- Read other tips for preparing for the winter.
Flu vaccine information in other languages
English, English large print, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Polish, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu and Yiddish.
