NHS urges parents to take urgent action before school starts

The NHS has issued a warning to parents to take urgent action by completing their child’s flu vaccine consent form before the start of the new school term. In a reminder shared on

Pediatric flu vaccine is typically administered as a quick, painless nasal spray, with one dose in each nostril. For children who cannot receive a nasal spray for some medical or dietary reason, for example, an alternative flu vaccine is available in the form of a small injection into the upper arm or thigh. It was announced that both types of vaccines provide effective protection against flu.

Because students spend much of their time in close contact with classmates, schools can quickly become hotspots for infections such as colds and flu. In his post on X, NHS She wrote: “Before school reopens, take a moment to fill out your child’s flu vaccine consent form.

“The nasal spray flu vaccine helps prevent children from getting serious illnesses and helps stop the spread of flu in classrooms and at home.” Directing people to your own page, Child flu vaccine, on the NHS website he also stated that it was something offered to “children aged 2 to 3, school age children (Admission up to Grade 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions”.

Warning from NHS to those who have not been vaccinated

If you decide your child will not be vaccinated, the NHS has stated that your child catching flu can be “very distressing” and can unfortunately cause “serious problems such as pneumonia”.

He emphasizes: “Every winter in the UK, thousands of children with poor health require hospital care for flu. Children can easily catch and spread flu. Vaccinating children also helps protect people from flu who are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill, such as babies, pregnant women and the elderly.”

Who should get the flu vaccine in children?

The NHS said the vaccine is recommended for:

• Children aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2025 (born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2023)
• school age children (Reception to Grade 11)
• Children ages 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health problems

It is important for children with certain long-term health conditions to get a flu vaccine every year. This includes children aged 6 months to 17 years who:

• conditions that affect breathing, such as asthma (requiring a steroid inhaler or tablet) or cystic fibrosis
• They have had a lung or respiratory infection in the past which meant they had to stay in hospital overnight
• serious heart conditions
• kidney or liver disease
• certain 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 medication
• problems with their spleen, such as sickle cell disease, or if they have had their spleen removed
• learning disability

Can my child get the pediatric flu vaccine?

The health service said the majority of children should be able to receive it, but there were people who could not. This means that an injectable flu vaccine may be recommended for children if:

• under 2 years old
• If you have ever had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the nasal spray vaccine
• If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to an ingredient in the nasal spray vaccine, including gelatin, neomycin, or gentamicin
• you have a severe egg allergy that requires treatment in an intensive care hospital
• If you have a severely weakened immune system or if you live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system (for example, someone who has had a bone marrow transplant).
• If you have asthma that is treated with long-term steroid tablets or requires intensive care treatment in hospital
• If you have experienced a flare-up of your asthma symptoms in the last 72 hours, including wheezing or needing to use a reliever inhaler more than usual
• you are receiving salicylate therapy

She reminded parents: “If you think your child may need an injectable flu vaccine, you can talk to your doctor, practice nurse or school immunization team.”

Does the pediatric flu vaccine have side effects?

Side effects of the nasal spray flu vaccine may include:

• stuffy or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• feeling tired
• headache

Side effects of flu vaccine injection may include:

• Pain or soreness where the injection was given
• slightly elevated temperature
• an aching body

While discussing “more serious side effects”, it was stated that your child may experience a “severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)” but that these are “very rare”. But if this does happen, parents have been reassured that “the person vaccinating your child will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them promptly.”

You can check: The pediatric flu vaccine page on the official NHS website is here to see how the vaccine is made, how it works and what it contains.