Protecting your child against Flu

2025 Nasal Flu Vaccine

What are the benefits of the vaccine?

Having the vaccine will help protect the child from what can be a very nasty illness and reduce the chance of others in their family and friends from getting it.

What vaccine is being offered?

Children will be offered Fluenz, a nasal spray. It is quick and painless to administer and since it does not require an injection, it is more acceptable to children and parents alike.

Is the vaccine safe?

The nasal spray helps protect against flu, has been given to millions of children worldwide and has an excellent safety record.

Are there any children who shouldn’t have the nasal vaccine?

• currently wheezy or have been wheezy in the past 72 hours;
• have a very weakened immune system or someone in your household needs isolation because they are severely immunosuppressed;
• have a condition that needs salicylate treatment;
• have had an anaphylactic reaction to a flu vaccine or any of the components in the past.

Also, children who have been vaccinated should avoid close contact with people with very severely weakened immune systems for around two weeks following vaccination because there’s an extremely remote chance that the vaccine virus may be passed to them. Alternatively, your child may be able to have an injected vaccine instead.

Are there any side-effects of the vaccine?

Side effects are uncommon but may include a runny or blocked nose, headache, general tiredness and some loss of appetite.

• Less common – Fever and muscle aches.
• Uncommon – Rash, nose bleed or an allergic reaction.

For more information and the Patient Information Leaflet for the Nasal Flu Vaccine please follow the link below:

• https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/15790/pil

For more information on child flu vaccines please follow the link below:

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/