This flu season, all children age 2 to 17 will be offered the nasal flu vaccine for free.
If the nasal flu vaccine is not available they can get the flu vaccine as an injection.
Why children should get the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine helps to protect children against flu.
Most children who get the flu have mild symptoms. But children and young people with long-term health conditions are at risk of serious complications from flu.
In some children, flu can lead to problems such as:
- pneumonia
- bronchitis
- inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
Children with flu may need hospital treatment. Some may need to stay in intensive care.
Almost 5,000 children were admitted to hospital with complications of flu between 2009 and 2019. Almost 200 children had treatment in intensive care and 40 children died.
Who should not get the nasal flu vaccine
A very small number of children and young people will not be able to get the nasal flu vaccine because of medical reasons.
Your child should not get the nasal vaccine if they:
-
have a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the flu vaccine or any of its ingredients
-
have asthma and have been wheezy or needed their inhaler more than usual in the 3 days before they are due to get the flu vaccine
-
are taking medicines called salicylates, which include aspirin
-
have a severely weakened immune system because of certain medical conditions or treatments
-
are living with someone who has a severely weakened immune system (for example, a person who recently had a bone marrow transplant)
-
have taken antiviral medication for flu within the previous 48 hours
-
have a condition which means they have a leak of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) - the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord
-
are pregnant
-
have severe neutropenia (low levels of a type of white blood cell)
Check with your child's GP
Talk to your child's doctor before getting the nasal flu vaccine for your child if they:
- have primary autoimmune neutropenia
- have severe asthma
- have had a cochlear implant
- are taking 2 medicines called combination checkpoint inhibitors (for example, ipilimumab and nivolumab) which are used to treat cancer - they may not be able to get the flu vaccine
If your child cannot get the nasal vaccine, your GP or pharmacist will talk to you about giving your child a flu vaccine by injection.
Flu vaccine and egg allergy
If your child has an egg allergy, talk to your child’s GP or vaccinator before getting the vaccine. Most people with an egg allergy can get the flu vaccine.
Where children can get the flu vaccine
Your child can get the flu vaccine at your GP surgery or pharmacist.
If your child is age 2 to 17, the vaccine and the consultation with your GP or pharmacist is free.
Some primary school children may be offered the free nasal flu vaccine in school by the local GP or pharmacist.
How the nasal flu vaccine is given
Your child will get the vaccine as a spray up their nose.
The vaccinator will spray once into each nostril. It does not hurt.
Your child can breathe normally while getting the vaccine. There is no need to take a deep breath or sniff.
Some children who have chronic health conditions may need 2 doses, given 4 weeks apart. For example, chronic heart or lung conditions.
Safety
All vaccines are tested to make sure they will not harm your child.
The nasal flu vaccine for children has been given to children in Ireland since 2020.
Side effects
Your child might have some mild side effects after their vaccine. Some of the side effects can be similar to flu. But they will not get the flu from the flu vaccine.
The most common side effects are mild and include:
- muscle aches
- tiredness
- irritability
- reduced appetite
- headache
- runny or stuffy nose
- pain and swelling where the injection was given
Some children get a fever (high temperature) after the vaccine. It is usually mild and goes away on its own.
These side effects should go away in 1 to 2 days.
Serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction are rare.
In very rare cases, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been reported. GBS is a condition that affects the nerves in the body. It causes nerve inflammation and can cause pain, numbness, muscle weakness and difficulty walking. You are far more likely to get GBS from having the flu, than from the flu vaccine.
Immunity
Generally, flu vaccines reduce the risk of infection by 40% to 60%.
The flu vaccine protects your child from the most common types of flu. Your child may still get the flu if they come in contact with a type of flu not in the vaccine.
If your child does not get the flu vaccine, they should take extra care to protect themselves from flu.
Protect your child from flu
As well as getting the vaccine, protect your child from flu by making sure they:
- wash their hands properly and often with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitiser
- cough or sneeze into a tissue or their sleeve
- put used tissues into a bin and wash hands properly afterwards