Children's flu vaccination - your questions answered
Getting your child vaccinated is the safest and most effective way to build their defence against flu, protecting both them and vulnerable family members. To help parents across Dudley borough understand the guidance and eligibility, we have answered the most common questions about the children's flu vaccine.
Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children, causing sudden fever, sore throat, tiredness, and muscle aches, and in serious cases leading to severe complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Getting your child vaccinated is the safest and most effective way to build their defence against flu, protecting both them and vulnerable family members.
Who is eligible for the free NHS children's flu vaccine?
The NHS offers a free flu vaccine every autumn or early winter to protect eligible children before winter viruses begin circulating widely.
For the 2026/2027 season, eligible groups include:
- Children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2026.
- Children aged 4 years who have not yet started school.
- School-aged children from Reception to Year 11.
- Children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions
What long-term health conditions are included?
Eligible long-term health conditions include:
- Asthma (requiring a steroid inhaler or tablets)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Serious heart problems
- Chronic kidney or liver disease
- Diabetes
- Neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy
- Learning disabilities
- Spleen problems (such as sickle cell disease)
- or a weakened immune system due to conditions or treatments like chemotherapy
Why should my child get the flu vaccine?
Health professionals strongly recommend vaccinating children against flu for a number of reasons:
- Protecting your child from severe illness
- Flu can lead to serious health complications like pneumonia and bronchitis, sending thousands of children to hospital every winter.
- Protecting family and friends
- Children catch and spread flu easily ("super spreaders"). Vaccinating them helps protect higher-risk relatives and friends, including babies, pregnant people and grandparents.
- Preventing missed school and work
- Having flu usually means a child must stay in bed for at least a week, missing valuable school time. This can disrupt learning and force parents to take time off work or arrange alternative childcare.
- Quick, easy, and painless
- For the vast majority of children, the vaccine is given as a simple nasal spray squirted up the nose, so no injections or needles are needed.
How is the children's flu vaccine given?
Most children aged 2 to 16 years (and 17-year-olds with underlying long-term conditions) receive the vaccine as a quick, painless nasal spray in each nostril.
An injected flu vaccine into the upper arm or thigh is offered to children who cannot have the nasal spray.
Children who may not be able to have the nasal spray include:
- Children under 2 years old.
- Those with specific medical risks (such as a severe asthma flare-up in the past 72 hours or severe immunosuppression).
- Families requesting a gelatine-free option.
Some children with long-term health conditions who are having the flu vaccine for the first time may require a second dose four weeks later
Where can my child get the flu vaccine in Dudley?
Where your child receives their flu vaccine depends on their age and circumstances:
- Children aged 2 or 3 years old:
- Parents can arrange a vaccine at their GP surgery from 1st September.
- From 1st October, eligible children aged 2 to school Year 11 can also access vaccinations at participating local community pharmacies across Dudley.
- You can book online via the NHS website, through the NHS App, or directly with your GP.
- Children who are 4 years old and not in school
- If your child turned 4 on or before 31st August, they can attend a community clinic. If they turned 4 after 31st August, they can go to their GP surgery or a community pharmacy.
- School-aged children
- Most school pupils are vaccinated at school during the autumn term by the School Age Immunisation Service.
- Children with long-term health conditions
- Can receive their vaccine from their GP surgery, specialist, or school immunisation team.
If your child misses their school vaccination session or is home-educated, they can still receive a free flu vaccine at a community clinic or participating community pharmacy
Is there a gelatine-free children's flu vaccine available?
The standard nasal spray vaccine contains a small amount of porcine gelatine (derived from pigs).
If you decline the nasal spray for your child due to its porcine gelatine content, an alternative gelatine-free flu injection is available on the NHS.
Parents can request this alternative injectable vaccine by contacting their child's GP surgery or requesting it on the school consent form
What are the side effects of the children's flu vaccine?
Side effects are generally mild and disappear within a couple days.
- Nasal spray side effects may include a runny or blocked nose, headache, tiredness, or a slight loss of appetite.
- Injection side effects can include soreness or swelling at the injection site, aching muscles, or a slightly raised temperature.
These mild symptoms show that your child's immune system is responding naturally to the vaccine and building protection.
Can the flu vaccine give my child flu?
No, it is impossible to get flu from the flu vaccine because it does not contain the live virus that cause the illness. Mild symptoms such as aching muscles or tiredness afterwards are simply the body's immune system responding as it builds defence against the virus.
What should I do if my child is unwell on the day of their flu vaccination?
If your child has a high temperature, you should postpone the appointment until they feel better. If they have a heavily blocked or runny nose, they may need to wait until their nasal passages clear to have the nasal spray, or they may be offered an injected vaccine instead.
Can my child get the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?
Yes, children can safely get the flu vaccine at the same time as other routine childhood immunisations.
How do I book an appointment or find out more information?
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To book a GP appointment, contact your local surgery, book online using the NHS website, or use the NHS App.
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If you have difficulties communicating or hearingYou can
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If you have questions about school-based vaccinations in Dudley, contact your child's school or Vaccination UK directly.
