Free nasal spray flu vaccine for children aged two and three

This article is from 4 October 2022 - the situation may change with time

If you have young children, get them vaccinated against flu this winter.

Parents of children aged two and three can book them an appointment for a free nasal spray flu vaccine with their GP.

Dr Rashmi Sawhney, Clinical Lead at Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB), said: "Flu can be serious for young children, but a quick and painless nasal spray helps protect them from the illness. The vaccine is safe and effective.

"Our advice to parents is to book an appointment with their GP practice without delay to ensure their child gets the nasal spray promptly... vaccinating them helps protect their parents or grandparents who might be vulnerable to the illness."

Other groups eligible for a free flu jab can book an appointment directly with their GP or at a community Pharmacy. They can also take up the offer of a vaccination when invited by their GP.

The nasal spray vaccine contains small traces of pork gelatine. If this is not suitable, speak to your child's nurse or doctor, or the school-aged immunisation service about your options.

The nasal spray flu vaccine is free on the NHS for:

• children aged two or three years on 31 August 2022 (born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2020)
• all primary school children in Reception to Year 6 (delivered by school nurses)
• some secondary school-aged children
• children aged two to 17 years with long-term health conditions.

There is further information about the nasal spray vaccine on the NHS website.

The flu vaccination is given free on the NHS to adults:

• aged 65 and over (by 31 March 2023)
• with certain health conditions
• who are pregnant
• in long-stay residential care
• in receipt of a carer's allowance, or who are the main carer for an older or disabled person at risk if they get sick
• living with someone more likely to get severe infection due to a weakened immune system (e.g. due to HIV, transplant, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
• who are frontline health workers
• who are social care workers unable to get the vaccine through an occupational health scheme at work.

These at-risk groups are offered vaccination first - starting from mid-October, people aged 50 years old and over (by 31 March 2023) can also have a free NHS flu vaccine.