About Influenza (Flu)
The children’s flu vaccine is offered as an annual nasal spray for age ranges nursery to school year 11 to help protect them against flu. The nasal spray is simple to administer, just one spray up each side of the nose or a porcine free injection at the top of the arm. Flu can be very difficult; it is a very nasty illness that can leave you bedridden for days or weeks at a time. Protect your child and those more vulnerable surrounding your child with the vaccination, it remains the best method of protection.
Please note, if you wish to be present in school on the day, school may be able to accommodate this otherwise you will need to book a community clinic appointment. If the nurses assess your child to be too nervous to be given the spray or the injection without a parent or carer present, we will inform you that they have not been vaccinated via email and you will need to book a community clinic appointment. You will be sent the information to book an appointment following the session in school.
The 2026 to 2027 National Influenza Programme eligibility includes children who will be 2 or 3 years old on 31st August 2026. You can access this at your GP practice or some pharmacies from the 1st of December 2026. Please contact your local pharmacy to see if they are providing this service. If your child attends a school-attached nursery (on the same site as the primary school) and attends on the day we are visiting, we can offer the nasal spray as an opportunistic offer. Please note, that if your child does not attend nursery on the day we are visiting or is absent on the day, you will need to book an appointment with your GP or alternatively contact a local pharmacy.
Another change to the 2026 to 2027 academic year, we will be offering a second session in schools where there might be a great number of outstanding consents or those with a particularly low uptake. Those schools will be reached out to after the first session. For more information please take the time to watch the video below where Rachel of the School-aged Immunisation team explains further.
Leaflet
Vaccine used: Fluenz Tetra
- Nasal spray for under 18 years old
- Most effective protection for children
- Patient information leaflet: Fluenz Tetra, INN-influenza vaccine (live attenuated, nasal)
Vaccine used: Flucelvax Tetra
- Intramuscular injection, usually given in the upper arm.
- Porcine free
- Egg free
- Patient information leaflet: Flucelvax Tetra II-13
For further information on flu, including side effects and contraindications. Visit the NHS: Children’s flu vaccine page.
For further information on independent research carried out on vaccines, visit the Oxford Vaccine Group website
Frequently asked questions
How do I consent or refuse?
Follow the link at the sideof this page. You will need your school code which school can provide or it is on the letter we sent you via school. Visit the school codes list page if your school code is required. Or follow a link in a text message you may have received.
If I don’t want my child to have it, why should submit a refusal form?
We need to be aware of your wishes, without a refusal form you will continue to receive invites for the flu vaccine. NHS time and resources is precious, we wouldn’t want to spend any time or resources on those that do not want to opt-in to the service.
What if I consent and either change my mind or my child’s health has changed?
If you change your mind regarding consent or there are any changes to your child’s health following submission of the form, you must contact us on the above telephone number. We will always add to the submitted form and re-triage where necessary.
If I refuse, can I consent later?
Yes, please contact us as soon as possible and we can change your refusal form to a consent form. If the session date has already taken place, please contact us to arrange a community clinic appointment. Please consider the flu vaccination is a seasonal vaccine and is only available between September to January.
Why can I not access the form anymore to submit consent or refusal?
This means that the portal has closed. Please contact us to discuss community clinic appointments or your options going forward.
Does the nasal spray contain porcine or gelatine?
Yes, it is a very purified version which is barely detectable and because it is for medical purposes, it has been deemed permissible for use by the British Fatwa Council. Alternatively, can offer an injectable vaccine that does not contain porcine. This vaccine is only administered in those that require it for medical or cultural purposes. It is available using the same online submission form.
Is the injection better or worse than the nasal spray?
Nasal spray is most effective in children and protection lasts longer. However, if it is not suitable for your child, the injectable option offers good protection and recommended where the nasal spray (LAIV) is contraindicated or otherwise unsuitable (for example, parents object to nasal spray on the grounds of its porcine gelatine content). The nasal spray also remains easier in administration, making it easier and more suitable for the eligible age group.
My child attends primary school and hasn’t been offered the injection before, is this new?
Yes, we successfully trialled the offer in a few primary schools in 2025 to 2026 and are now offering it in all primary schools for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.
I know my child won’t have it in school, can I book a clinic appointment now, or visit a pharmacy?
You can book a clinic appointment after the school session, if you believe there is no harm in trying in school submit a consent and this may save you some time. Information on how to book an appointment is sent to you by school after the school session. Some pharmacies are offering the flu vaccine to those children who missed the school session from the 1st of December 2026. If it is more convenient for you, please contact your local pharmacy to see if they are providing this service.
Video transcript
On screen title: The School Aged Immunisation Team in West Yorkshire.
Nurse: Hello, my name is Rachel and I’m a nurse with the school aged immunisation service in West Yorkshire. We offer vaccinations as part of the National Immunisation Schedule to all secondary school aged children. This is a school-based programme, and it is not routinely offered by GP practices.
On screen title: What Are Vaccinations?
Nurse: Vaccinations remain the best method of protecting young people and their families from potentially life threatening diseases. The injection works by helping your immune system to fight the disease if you come in to contact with it.
On screen title: Year 8 Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) 8 out of 10 people come into to contact with the HPV virus within their life time.
Nurse: We offer all year 8 students the Human Papillomavirus vaccination, referred to as HPV. It is administered at this age before young people become sexually active because it’s most effective at preventing infection before exposure to the virus. It protects from 9 types of HPVs that can cause cancers including cervical cancer, male and female genital cancers, anus cancer, some head and neck cancers and genital warts.
On screen title: Tetanus (T) Diphtheria (D), and Polio (IPV) and MEN ACWY
Nurse: We offer all year 9 aged students the Tetanus Diphtheria and Polio vaccination(IPV) which is a booster to complete the course started as a baby.
At this time, we also give Meningitis ACWY. The Men ACWY vaccine is given to teenagers and helps protect against 4 types of bacteria linked to meningitis A, C, W and Y. This is the only dose in the National Routine Immunisation Schedule.
On screen title: Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Nurse: The MMR vaccine is offered if you haven’t already had two doses. It protects against Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Measles, Mumps and Rubella are highly contagious diseases which can lead to serious illness and unfortunately can be life threatening.
On screen title: How to submit your intent
Nurse: Close to the school’s session date your school will send our letter with your school’s unique code via their normal means of communication. To submit a consent or a refusal form, follow the link provided by school. A link to the form will also be in the comment section of the video below.
Nurse: Injections in the arm only takes a few seconds. Common and mild side effects include redness and soreness around the injection site, a slightly raised temperature and an aching body. More serious side effects are very rare, and you can read more about this on the NHS website.
On screen title: More information on vaccinations can be found on the NHS website
