Why should my child have the flu vaccine?
Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children. It can last several days or more; causing fever, stuffy nose, dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints, and extreme tiredness.
Some children can get a very high fever, sometimes without the usual flu symptoms, and may need to go to hospital for treatment. Serious complications of flu include a painful ear infection, acute bronchitis, and pneumonia.
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What are the benefits of the flu vaccine?
Having the vaccine will help protect your child from catching flu. It will also reduce the chance of others in your family, who could be at greater risk from flu, such as grandparents, those with long term health conditions, or siblings that are too ...
Can the vaccine cause flu?
No, the vaccine cannot cause flu because the viruses in it have been weakened to prevent this from happening.
Can my child have the injected vaccine that doesn’t contain gelatine?
Some faith groups accept the use of porcine gelatine in medical products. For further information about porcine gelatine and the nasal flu vaccine, see www.nhs.uk/child-flu We are offering families that do not wish to have the nasal spray because of ...
Why do children need a Flu vaccination every year?
The flu vaccine changes every winter to match the different type of flu circulating each year. For this reason, we recommend that your child is vaccinated against flu again this year, even if vaccinated last year.
Are there any side-effects of the vaccine?
All vaccines can cause side effects but studies suggest they are generally mild and soon settle. However, these are much less serious than developing flu or complications associated with flu. Some people may experience: Nasal Flu vaccine side ...