The children’s flu vaccine helps protect against flu. It’s offered to children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions.
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.
Who should have the children’s flu vaccine
The children’s flu vaccine is offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.
It’s recommended for:
- Children aged 2 or 3 years
- School-aged children (Reception to Year 11)
- Children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions.
It’s important for children with certain long-term health conditions to have the flu vaccine every year.
This includes children aged 6 months to 17 years who have:
- Conditions that affect their breathing, such as asthma (needing a steroid inhaler or tablets) or cystic fibrosis
- Had a lung or airways infection in the past that meant they needed to stay overnight in hospital
- Serious heart conditions
- Kidney or liver disease
- Some conditions that affect their brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy
- Diabetes
- A weakened immune system due to a condition or treatment, such as HIV or AIDS, chemotherapy or steroid medicine
- Problems with their spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if they’ve had their spleen removed
- A learning disability.
If your child has a health condition and you’re not sure if they’re eligible for the flu vaccine, speak to their GP surgery or specialist.
How to get the children’s flu vaccine
Children aged 2 or 3 years
Children who are aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024 (born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2022) will get the flu vaccine at their GP surgery.
You should get an invitation from your GP surgery, or be able to contact them, in autumn or early winter to book an appointment.
School aged children (Reception to Year 11):
Most school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) get their flu vaccine at school.
You should get an invitation from your child’s school to get their vaccine, usually during the autumn term.
If your child misses their vaccination at school or if they are home-schooled, they should be offered a flu vaccine at a community clinic.
Children who are 4 years old but have not started school can get the flu vaccine from a community clinic (if they turned 4 years of age on or before 31 August 2024) or their GP surgery (if they turned 4 years of age after 31 August 2024).
Children with certain long-term health conditions
Children with certain long-term health conditions that put them at higher risk from flu can get a flu vaccine from their:
- School (if they’re in Reception to Year 11)
- GP surgery.
If your child is in Reception to Year 11, they should get an invitation from their school to have the vaccine, usually during the autumn term.
If your child is not in school or you want to vaccinate your child earlier than when it’s offered at school, contact their GP surgery in autumn or early winter to book an appointment.
More information
Visit the NHS website for more information on children’s flu.