Non-urgent advice: Children
Who should have the children’s flu vaccine?
1, Children aged 2 or 3
2. School aged children (Most school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) get their flu vaccine at school)
3. Children with long-term health conditions
Most children have the quick and painless nasal spray vaccine.
How to get the children’s flu vaccine
Children aged 2-3 years will receive a booking link to book into the Saturday 11 October clinic or you can phone or walk in to book a slot for this day.
Why children are offered the flu vaccine
Flu can be very unpleasant for children and can sometimes cause serious problems, such as pneumonia.
Each winter in the UK, thousands of children who do not have a health condition need hospital care because of flu.
Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also helps protect others who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies, anyone who’s pregnant and older people.
1, Children aged 2 or 3
2. School aged children (Most school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) get their flu vaccine at school)
3. Children with long-term health conditions
Most children have the quick and painless nasal spray vaccine.
How to get the children’s flu vaccine
Children aged 2-3 years will receive a booking link to book into the Saturday 11 October clinic or you can phone or walk in to book a slot for this day.
Why children are offered the flu vaccine
Flu can be very unpleasant for children and can sometimes cause serious problems, such as pneumonia.
Each winter in the UK, thousands of children who do not have a health condition need hospital care because of flu.
Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also helps protect others who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies, anyone who’s pregnant and older people.
Non-urgent advice: Who is eligible for an Adult flu jab?
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
1. are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
2. have certain long-term health conditions*
3. are pregnant
4. live in a care home
5. are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
6. live with someone who has a weakened immune system
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer
1. are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
2. have certain long-term health conditions*
3. are pregnant
4. live in a care home
5. are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
6. live with someone who has a weakened immune system
Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer
*The flu vaccine is recommended for people with certain long-term health conditions, including:
- conditions that affect your breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets),
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis
- some conditions that affect your brain or nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- diabetes or Addison’s disease
- a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or due to a treatment such as chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- problems with your spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if you’ve had your spleen removed
- a learning disability
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
- Speak to your GP surgery or specialist if you have a health condition and you’re not sure if you’re eligible for the flu vaccine