NHS Flu Vaccine

Published by Phoebe Martin on

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All children aged 2 and 3 years old (on 31 August 2022) are eligible for a free flu vaccination in the form of a nasal spray. This is usually given at the GP practice. However, not all parents are aware of this or take up the offer.

Less 2–3-year-olds have been vaccinated against flu than in 2021 and we are seeing increases in the number of younger children contracting flu and higher hospitalisation rates.

Flu is a common infection in babies and children and can be very unpleasant for them. Children under the age of 5 have the highest hospital admission rates for flu compared to other age groups. When flu comes round this autumn and winter more young children are likely to catch it than usual. This is because the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions also stopped flu and young children in particular won’t have natural immunity from catching flu before. Having the vaccine helps to protect the children themselves. It will also help reduce the spread of flu, helping to protect family members, and others in the local community.

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