Parents are being urged by the NHS to promptly fill out their child’s flu vaccine consent form before the school term resumes. Highlighting the importance of this simple yet crucial step, the NHS used a post on X to remind parents that vaccinating their children helps prevent serious flu-related illnesses and curbs the spread among classmates.

The flu vaccine for children is primarily given as a painless nasal spray, requiring just a quick squirt in each nostril. However, for those who cannot receive the nasal spray due to medical or dietary restrictions, an injectable alternative is available, administered in the upper arm or thigh. Both methods are effective in safeguarding against the flu, according to the NHS.

Given that students often interact closely with one another, schools can rapidly become breeding grounds for illnesses like colds and flu. The NHS emphasized in their X post: “Before the school year begins, take a moment to complete your child’s flu vaccine consent form.”

The NHS further explained, “The nasal spray flu vaccine helps in protecting children from severe illness and prevents the flu from spreading in school and at home.” They also directed parents to their Children’s flu vaccine page on the NHS website, highlighting that this service is available to “children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11), and children with specific long-term health conditions.”

NHS warning for people who do not take the vaccine

For parents considering opting out of vaccination, the NHS warned that contracting the flu can be “very unpleasant” for children and might lead to “serious complications such as pneumonia.”

The NHS underscored the gravity of the situation: “Each winter in the UK, thousands of children without underlying health issues require hospital treatment due to flu. Children easily contract and spread the flu. Vaccinating them also serves to protect more vulnerable groups, including infants, pregnant women, and the elderly.”

Who should have the children’s flu vaccine?

The NHS said the vaccine is recommended for:

• children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025 (born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2023)
• school-aged children (Reception to Year 11)
• children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions

It’s important for children with certain long-term health conditions to have the flu vaccine every year. 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 the 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

Can my kid have the children’s flu vaccine?

The health service noted that whilst the majority of kids should be able to get it, there are people who may not be able to have it. This means children may be offered the injected flu vaccine 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 requires 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

It reminded parents: “If you think your child may need the injected flu vaccine you can speak to your GP, practice nurse or the school immunisation team.”

Are there any side effects of the children’s flu vaccine?

Side effects of the nasal spray flu vaccine can include:

• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• feeling tired
• a headache

Side effects of the flu vaccine injection can include:

• pain or soreness where the injection was given
• a slightly raised temperature
• an aching body

Discussing the “more serious side effects” it noted that your child could have a “severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)” however, these are “very rare”. However, if this does happen, it reassured parents that “the person who vaccinates your child will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.”

You can check out the Children’s flu vaccine page on the official NHS website here to see how to get the vaccine, how it works and its ingredients.