Flu vaccination information for children aged 2 or 3 years

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Flu spreads more easily among children in winter because we all spend more time
indoors with others.

Children are more likely to catch winter viruses like flu, which can spread to other family members, such as grandparents (children under 5 years old have one of the highest hospitalisation rates)

Serious illness

  • The flu vaccine will help protect your child against flu and serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
  • Children under the age of 5 years have one of the highest rates of hospital admissions due to flu.
  • During the 2022 / 2023 season over 6,000 under 5s in England were hospitalised by flu.
  • In the week up to Christmas 2022, over 1,000 children under 5 were hospitalised by flu in England.
  • Vaccinating your child will help protect more vulnerable friends and family.
  • The flu viruses can change from one winter to the next, that’s why it is important to
    have your child vaccinated again this year.

Vaccine Efficacy

  • The vaccine will stop your child getting very ill with flu / speed recovery.
  • The flu vaccination reduces your child’s chance of needing hospitalisation by two thirds.
  • Having the flu vaccine will help protect your child from what can be a very nasty illness in children.
  • If your child is vaccinated and catches flu their symptoms will be milder and their recovery quicker.
  • Vaccination will speed up your child’s recovery if they do catch flu because their symptoms will be milder

Vaccine Safety

  • Children in England have been having the nasal flu vaccine for many years and this vaccine has an excellent safety record. Some children have mild side effects, and serious side-effects are very rare. Over 30 million doses have been given to children in the UK since 2013.
  • Children may develop a runny or blocked nose, headache, general tiredness, and some loss of appetite. However, these are much milder than developing flu or complications associated with flu

You can book an appointment for your child in practice using the link you were sent on your phone or please contact the reception team in practice to book.