Protect your child from flu

For the first time the flu nasal spray is free for all children at a Staffordshire Primary School.

Flu can be more serious than you might think. It can cause complications, lead to a stay in hospital and for some children it's fatal.

That's why it’s important that your child has their free flu vaccine - it's the best protection we have against flu. And it’s not an injection it’s just a quick and painless nasal spray!

The flu nasal spray not only protects your child, it also protects other more vulnerable members of your family and the community from catching flu from them. 

Your child's GP or school should have contacted you about getting your child vaccinated, if you haven’t heard anything please contact them.

Make sure your child doesn't miss out - don't forget to give your permission for your child to receive the nasal spray at school.

How is the nasal spray flu vaccine given?

The vaccine is given as a single spray squirted up each nostril.

Not only is it needle-free, a big advantage for children, the nasal spray is quick, painless and works even better than the injected flu vaccine.

The vaccine is absorbed very quickly. It'll still work even if, after the vaccination, your child develops a runny nose, sneezes or blows their nose.

More detailed information and answers to common questions about the flu vaccine are on the NHS Choices web pages.