Flu Vaccine For Children
The flu vaccine for children is given as a single dose of nasal spray squirted into each nostril. Not only is it needle-free, the nasal spray works even better than the injected flu vaccine with fewer side effects. It’s quick and painless and will mean children are less likely to become ill if they come into contact with the flu virus.
The Flu Vaccine for Children is FREE from the age of 2 years to 17 years**
Why are children being offered the flu vaccine?
Flu can be very unpleasant for children. They have the same symptoms as adults – including fever, chills, aching muscles, headache, stuffy nose, dry cough and sore throat lasting up to a week. Some children develop a very high fever or complications of flu such as bronchitis, pneumonia and painful middle ear infection. They may need hospital treatment, and very occasionally a child may die from flu. For children with long-term health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart or lung disease, getting flu can be very serious as they are more at risk of developing serious complications.
How does the flu vaccine for children work?
The nasal spray vaccine contains flu viruses that have been weakened to stop them causing flu. It will help your child build up immunity to flu in a similar way as natural infection (but without the symptoms). Because the main flu viruses change each year, the nasal spray vaccine has to be given each year. Most children only need a single dose of the nasal spray.
Is the flu vaccine safe for children?
The flu vaccine for children has a very good safety profile. It has been widely used for more than 20 years.
Are there any side effects of the vaccine?
The nasal spray flu vaccine has very few possible side effects:
- decreased appetite.
- headache
- a runny or blocked nose
- sometimes a raised temperature
These are common, but they pass quickly and can be treated with paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel your child needs it.
