Flu vaccinations now available to protect children and pregnant women ahead of winter
Eligible pregnant women and families can book in for their flu vaccination from September 1, with children offered vaccines in school
Flu vaccinations are now available for children under the age of 16 and pregnant women, as the NHS begins its preparations to protect people from flu and reduce pressure on health services this winter.
Vaccinations will be available from September 1 for pregnant women, children aged 2 and 3 and children in primary and secondary school.
Dr Charlotte Hutchings, GP and Clinical Lead for Vaccinations for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: "Although we're enjoying what is left of the summer and have had a long, hot few months, winter will be here before we know it. Now is the time for eligible pregnant women and families to book in for their flu vaccination.
Eligible people will be contacted by their GP practice, through the NHS App or by letter, and can be vaccinated through a range of local services. School-aged children will be vaccinated via their school nursing team, so parents and carers should look out for the consent form in the coming weeks.
"Flu can be much more than an unpleasant winter illness, particularly for pregnant women and young children,” said Dr Hutchings. “The vaccine is a simple and effective way to help protect against serious illness and reduce the risk of needing hospital care.”
"Pregnant women are most-likely to receive the vaccination as an injection and it can be given via hospital maternity services or your GP practice.
“For pre-school children, the vaccine is given as a quick-and-easy nasal spray through your GP practice and from next month via pharmacies.
"From October, other eligible groups will also be able to come forward for their flu vaccination, alongside those eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. I’d encourage everyone who is eligible to take up the offer when they are invited,” she said.
"Getting protected early means you and your family can go into the winter months with the best possible protection."
Participating community pharmacies will offer flu vaccination walk-ins, making it easier for eligible people to get protected without needing to wait for a GP appointment. You can find your nearest participating pharmacy here.
From 1 October, the flu vaccination programme will expand to other eligible groups, including:
- People aged 65 and over
- Adults in a clinical risk group
- People living in care homes
- Carers
- People who are in close contact with someone who is immunocompromised
- Frontline healthcare workers
The COVID-19 vaccination programme will also begin from 1 October for those eligible under the autumn COVID vaccination programme. This includes people at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19, with eligibility including adults aged 75 and over, people living in care homes and people who are immunosuppressed.
Further information about eligibility and the national vaccination programmes is available on NHS.uk or you can call the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Vaccination helpline on 0300 561 0018, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.