Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine

For over a year now the nasal spray flu vaccine has been available for all children aged two, three and four years old as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.

In 2013, in some parts of the country, primary and secondary school-aged children in years 7 and 8 were offered the vaccine as part of a pilot programme. Following the success of these pilots, all Greenwich & Bexley children in Year 1 and year 2 and now Year 3 will be offered nasal spray vaccination this October and November.

Keep an eye on your book bags for consent forms which are being sent home this week!

Fast and painless

Given as a single dose of nasal spray squirted up each nostril. Not only is it needle-free (a big plus for children), the nasal spray works better with fewer side effects. So fast and painless!

The vaccine is also available for children aged two to 18 who are ‘at risk’ from flu, such as children with long-term health conditions. Some of these children will be offered two doses of the vaccine

The normal jab will continue to be offered to those 65 and over, pregnant women, carers and adults and babies (aged six months to two years) with a long-term medical condition.

So why are children being offered a vaccine?

Flu can be hideous for children. They get same symptoms as adults – including fever, chills, aching muscles, headache, stuffy nose, dry cough and sore throat lasting up to a week. Some children develop a very high fever or complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia and painful middle ear infections. They may need hospital treatment, and very occasionally a child may die from flu.

For children with long-term health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease or lung disease, getting flu can be very serious as they are more at risk of developing serious complications.
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Which children can have the flu vaccination?

The nasal spray will be offered routinely on the NHS to all children who were aged two, three and four and those in Years 1, 2 and 3 (i.e  children with a date of birth on or after September 1st, 2008 and on or before August 31st, 2011.

Children with long-term health conditions are at extra risk from flu and it’s especially important that they are vaccinated against flu each year. Neither the nasal spray or the injectable flu vaccine are suitable for babies under the age of six months.

Pork in the children’s flu vaccine
The Fluenz Tetra nasal spray contains a highly processed form of gelatine derived from pigs. Although certified as acceptable by many faith groups, including representatives from Jewish and Muslim communities, some parents may want to balance the constraints of their personal beliefs against the benefits of vaccination

Are there children who shouldn’t have the flu vaccine?

There are a few children who should avoid the nasal spray flu vaccine.
It’s not suitable for children who have:
• a severely weakened immune system
• egg allergy
• severe asthma (children with mild or moderate asthma are able to have the flu nasal spray)
• active wheezing at the time of vaccination or within the past 3 days

How to get the flu vaccine for your child

You’ll be automatically contacted by your GP or your child’s school in September/October 2016 about getting your child vaccinated before the winter. If you don’t hear anything, or you want more information about when and how your child will be vaccinated against flu, talk to your GP, practice nurse or your child’s school nurse or contact the immunisation team on 0208 320 5741/2 and visit Oxleas NHS