Why do children need the flu vaccine?

Flu is not just a bad cold but a very nasty illness. 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.

The children’s flu vaccine aims to protect children against the most common types of flu viruses. There’s still a chance your child might get flu after getting vaccinated, but they’re less likely to get seriously ill or need to go to hospital.

Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating your children can help protect others in your family or community who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies, anyone who’s pregnant, and older people.

When and where is the flu vaccine given?

In Wakefield the children’s flu vaccine is offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter, usually October to December. Protection from the flu vaccine goes down over time and the types of flu the vaccine protects against are updated each year. This is why it’s important to get the flu vaccine every year.

Wakefield School Immunisation team gives the vaccine in school to children in Reception to Year 11, or at community clinics for children and young people who are home schooled or in alternative provisions.

The vaccine usually takes up to 14 days to work. Side effects are mild and usually clear up in a couple of days – find out more on the NHS website.

How is the flu vaccine given to children and young people?

• The nasal flu spray is the most effective way for children to have the flu vaccine. Children receive a quick and painless nasal spray in each nostril. This form of vaccine contains pork (porcine) gelatine.
• A flu vaccine injection into the upper arm or thigh. This form of the vaccine does not include pork (porcine) gelatine.

The vaccine usually takes up to 14 days to work.

Read what the British Islamic Medical Association and British Fatwa Council say about the flu vaccine.

Why do I need to give my consent?

Parents must give their consent for their children to receive the flu vaccine. We need to know ‘yes’ or ‘no’ so that we understand how many children and young people have and have not received the vaccination locally.

This is your choice and we are happy to answer any questions you might have about the vaccine – just contact us using the details below.

A child cannot be vaccinated without their parent or guardian’s consent.

Please watch this video about the flu vaccine for children and young people

How do I let you know ‘yes’ or ‘no’?

• If your child attends a local school – you you will receive a letter from the School Immunisation team, via your child’s school. The letter gives information on how to give your consent online, by filling in an online consent form. You will also receive a code which is unique to your child’s school and you need to add that to the form.
• If your child is home schooled or in alternative provisions – you will receive a letter directly from our School Immunisation team to arrange your child’s vaccination.

What do I do if I have not received a consent form?

If you have not received a consent form to complete from your child’s school, you can give your consent here. You will need to include the unique school code for your child’s school – get the unique school code here.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the flu vaccine, giving consent or the consent process?

If you have any questions about giving your consent or you require further information about vaccinations, please contact the School Immunisation team on 01924 310133.

What do I do if my child is unwell on vaccination day?

• If your child has a high temperature, please wait until they’re feeling better before having the flu vaccine.
• If your child has a very blocked or runny nose, they may have to wait to get the nasal spray vaccine until they’re feeling better, or they may be offered an injected flu vaccine instead.

Where can I get more information about the flu vaccine?

The NHS website has more information about the flu vaccine for children and young people, including full details of who should have which vaccine, ingredients, side effects and vaccine safety.