Flu is more likely to be serious if you have a long-term health condition, are pregnant, or are older.
Flu can also be serious for young children.
Last year in Wales, nearly a million people got their flu vaccine. That’s around one in every three people.
If any of the following apply to you, even if you feel healthy, you are more likely to get complications from flu if you catch it, and you are advised to have a flu vaccine if:
You are aged six months to 64 years and have a long-term health condition that puts you at increased risk from flu, including but not limited to:
The following groups are also advised to have a flu vaccine to protect them and the people around them:
Most children and young people will get a nasal spray vaccine as this is the best flu vaccine for them. It is a fine mist sprayed up the nose and can be given from the age of two.
If your child is eligible for a flu vaccine, you should be contacted by their GP surgery or school nurse. If you think your child might have missed their vaccine, contact the school nurse if they are school-aged, or GP surgery if they are not in school.
If you think you missed the flu vaccine invitation, contact your GP or your community pharmacy.
| Children two or three years (age on 31 August 2024) | GP surgery (NB, in some areas, three-year-olds are offered the vaccine in nursery) |
| Primary and secondary school children | Primary and secondary school |
| Children aged four or older not in school | Make an appointment with the GP surgery |
| Children aged 6 months to under 18 years with long-term health condition | GP surgery (NB. primary and secondary school-aged children will be offered their flu vaccine in school) |
| Children aged 6 months to under 18 years with long term health condition | GP surgery (NB. primary and secondary school-aged children will be offered their flu vaccine in school) |
| Pregnant Woman | GP surgery, some community pharmacies, or, in some areas of Wales from their midwife |
| Long-term health conditions (adults) | GP surgery or some community pharmacies |
| People aged 65 or over | GP surgery or some community pharmacies |
| Unpaid Carers | GP surgery or some community pharmacies |
| Domiciliary Carers | Community pharmacy (or in some areas, there are other arrangements) |
| Care Home Staff | Community pharmacy (or in some areas, there are other arrangements) |
| Health and Social Care Workers | Via employer |
Ideally, the flu vaccine should be given before flu starts to spread in the community. However, it can still be given at a later date.
All children from the age of two can have a free flu vaccine in 2024/25. This includes:
All children who are aged two or three on 31 August 2024
All children in primary school
All children in secondary school years 7 to 11
Children who do not attend school are also eligible for the flu vaccine through their GP surgery.
Also, children aged six months or over who have any of the long-term health conditions that puts them at increased risk from flu.
Flu is caused by viruses and spreads easily. Anyone can get flu, but children have the highest rate of infection and flu can be serious for them.
Complications can include bronchitis, pneumonia (lung infections) and ear infections.
Some children get so ill they need to go into hospital.
Having a flu vaccine will help protect your child from flu.
Protection starts around two weeks after having the vaccine. The vaccine usually offers children good protection against flu.
It also helps reduce the chance of children and young people spreading flu to others who are at high risk from flu, such as young babies, older adults, and those with long-term health conditions.
Some people still get flu even after having a flu vaccine, but often with milder symptoms. Flu vaccines do not protect against colds, other respiratory viruses or other winter illnesses.
If your child is aged six months or older and has one of the following health conditions, it is important they have a flu vaccine every year as they are at increased risk of complications from flu.
Conditions include:
Diabetes
A heart problem
A chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including asthma that requires regular steroid inhalers or tablets
Kidney disease (from stage 3)
Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (and also close contacts of people in this group)
Liver disease
Had a stroke or mini stroke
A neurological condition
A missing spleen or a problem with it
A learning disability
Severe mental illness
Young people over 16 (age on 1 September 2024) with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or above
Epilepsy
Children and young people in Wales who are homeless are also eligible for flu vaccination.
Children in these groups may get their vaccine at their school if they are in school years reception to year 11, or at their GP surgery.
It is extra important for children and young people who care for someone who is vulnerable to flu and its complications either because of a long-term health condition or their age, to have a flu vaccine every year. It helps protect them and also the person they care for.
Children who are aged two or three (age on 31 August 2024) are generally invited to have their flu vaccine at their GP surgery.
In some areas, three-year-olds and some four-year-olds are offered the vaccine in nursery.
If your child is in this age group and hasn’t received an invitation for the vaccine by the end of November, contact their GP surgery.
Children and young people in school will usually have their flu vaccine in school. Parents will be given information about the vaccine and a consent form. Please read the information and sign and return the consent form as soon as possible.
Young people aged 16 and older (and some younger secondary school pupils) may be able to give permission for the vaccination themselves if they fully understand what is being offered.
Children and young people aged four or older who are not in school can have their flu vaccine at their GP surgery. You just need to make an appointment.
If your child is aged under two, or aged 16 or 17 years of age, and is at greater risk of complications from flu due to a health condition, their GP surgery should invite them to have their vaccine.
Ideally, the flu vaccine should be given in the early autumn before flu starts to spread in the community. However, it can still be given at a later date.
Most children and young people will get a nasal spray vaccine as this is the best flu vaccine for them. It is a fine mist sprayed up the nose and can be given from the age of two. It’s painless and safe, and most children and young people are not usually upset after receiving a nasal spray flu vaccine.
If your child misses their flu vaccine, speak to their school nurse, health visitor, GP or practice nurse about getting the vaccine.
The nasal spray vaccine shouldn’t be given to anyone who is:
under two years old;
18 years of age or older;
pregnant;
on long-term aspirin (salicylate) treatment;
taking high dose steroid tablets (currently, or in the last two weeks); or
in close contact with someone who has a severely weakened immune system (for example, after a bone marrow transplant) and is being looked after in a protected environment.
Your health professional will make an assessment before giving the vaccine.
The nasal spray vaccine can’t be given to anyone who has:
had a severe life-threatening allergic reaction to a flu vaccine (or any ingredient in the vaccine);
a weakened immune system;
a wheezy chest on the day of the vaccination or in the previous three days;
increased the use of their asthma inhalers in the previous three days.
A flu vaccine injection is available for children and young people who can’t have the nasal spray vaccine, from their GP surgery.
Children and young people with asthma who need regular oral steroids or have needed intensive-care treatment for their asthma in the past should be referred to a specialist for advice about receiving the nasal spray vaccine. They may be offered a flu vaccine injection instead or they may need to have the nasal spray vaccine in hospital.
If your child is having a cochlear implant in the week before their nasal spray vaccination appointment or is due to have the vaccination in the two weeks after having their implant, speak to your health visitor, school nurse, GP or practice nurse for more advice.
A cold or other minor illness is not a reason to delay a flu vaccination. If your child is unwell with a high temperature, it is best to delay their vaccination until they are feeling better.
Remember to follow the latest advice if your child has any COVID-19 symptoms. Visit: Guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19 | GOV.WALES (external site)
If your child cannot avoid contact with someone who has very severely weakened immunity, such as someone who has recently had a bone marrow transplant, you should discuss this with your doctor or nurse before your child has the nasal spray vaccine. They may decide to offer your child a flu vaccine injection instead.
Most children and young people who are allergic to egg can receive the nasal spray vaccine with no problems. The small number of individuals who have previously needed intensive-care treatment for anaphylaxis (a rare, life-threatening allergic reaction) to egg should be referred to a specialist. Egg-free flu vaccine injections are available.
Yes, flu vaccines can be given at the same time as most other vaccines including most COVID-19 vaccines if necessary.
Yes, it contains traces of highly purified porcine (pork) gelatine which is also used in a range of essential medicines.
The nasal spray vaccine is the best flu vaccine for children and young people, but flu injections are gelatine-free so if you would prefer your child had this as an alternative contact their GP surgery so they don’t miss out.
You can find more information on porcine gelatine here: phw.nhs.wales/PorcineGelatine