The children's nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective. It's offered every year to children to help protect them against flu.

This page is about flu vaccination for children. Find out about flu vaccination for adults.

Flu is caused by the influenza virus. It can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people.

Answering your vaccination questions

If you have any questions about vaccinations, you can:

• ask your GP surgery or other healthcare professionals for advice
• read more about why vaccination is safe and important

Who should have the nasal spray flu vaccine

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

• children aged 2 or 3 years 
• all school children (Reception to Year 11)
• some secondary school aged children
• children aged 2 to 17 years with long-term health conditions
•  

If your child is aged between 6 months and 2 years and has a long-term health condition that makes them at higher risk from flu, they'll be offered a flu vaccine injection instead of the nasal spray.

This is because the nasal spray is not licensed for children under 2 years old.

The nasal spray vaccine offers the best protection for children aged 2 to 17 years. They'll be offered a flu vaccine injection if the nasal spray vaccine is not suitable for them. Injected flu vaccines are also safe and effective.

Children with long-term health conditions

Children with long-term health conditions, such as diabetes or heart problems, are at higher risk from flu.

It's important they're vaccinated.

If it's their first time being vaccinated against flu, children under 9 years old with long-term health conditions will usually be offered a 2nd dose of the flu vaccine from 4 weeks after the 1st dose. This helps them develop immunity against flu for that first season.

Where to have the flu vaccine

Schoolchildren with a long-term health condition

If you have a child with a long-term health condition, you can ask the GP surgery to give them the vaccine instead of them having it at school if you prefer.

If your child is not in primary school, ask the GP surgery to give the vaccine.

Important:What if my child is unwell on the day?

You may be asked to wait until your child is better before having the nasal spray flu vaccine if they have:

• a very blocked or runny nose – these might stop the vaccine getting into their system
• a high temperature

Sometimes an injected vaccine may be offered instead.

How the nasal spray flu vaccine is given

The vaccine is given as a spray squirted up each nostril. It's quick and painless.

The vaccine will still work even if your child gets a runny nose, sneezes or blows their nose.

How effective is the nasal spray flu vaccine?

The nasal spray flu vaccine gives children the best protection against flu. The injected flu vaccine is a good alternative if the nasal spray vaccine cannot be used.

It may take around 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to work.

Any child who catches flu after vaccination is less likely to be seriously ill or be admitted to hospital.

Side effects of the children's flu vaccine

Flu vaccines are very safe.

Side effects of the nasal spray flu vaccine are mild and do not last long. They include:

• a runny or blocked nose
• a headache
• tiredness
• loss of appetite

For the injected flu vaccine, most side effects are also mild and do not last long. They include:

• a sore arm (or thigh) where the injection was given
• a slightly raised temperature
• aching muscles

These side effects usually last for 1 or 2 days.

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What's in the nasal spray flu vaccine?

The nasal spray flu vaccine contains small amounts of weakened flu viruses. They do not cause flu in children.

As flu viruses change each year, a new nasal spray vaccine has to be given each year.

The brand of nasal spray flu vaccine available in the UK is called Fluenz® Tetra.

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.

Your child may be able to have an injected vaccine instead.

See the emc website for a full list of ingredients in the Fluenz® Tetra nasal spray patient information leaflet

More information and other formats

• GOV.UK: flu vaccination for children: leaflets and posters (including information in alternative languages and formats)
• YouTube: protecting your child from flu British Sign Language (BSL) video