Immunisations

Why are Immunisations important?

Immunisations protect you and your child from serious illnesses, while also protecting others in your community. They undergo thorough safety testing and are closely monitored for side effects.

Children get sick more easily than adults, so it is important to protect your child from preventable illnesses. To find out more information on why immunisations are important, click here.

If your child has never previously had their MMR vaccine or has only had one dose, you should contact your GP surgery to arrange to catch up with your outstanding doses. 

Children's Flu Vaccine

Most school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) get their flu vaccine at school.

You should get an invitation from your child's school or the School Age Immunisation Service to get their vaccine, usually during the autumn term.

If your child misses their vaccination at school or if they are home educated (home-schooled), they should be offered a flu vaccine at a community clinic.

If your child is 4 years old but has not started school yet, they can get vaccinated at either: a community clinic, GP surgery or a pharmacy that offers flu vaccination.

Why children are offered the flu vaccine

Flu can be very unpleasant for children and can sometimes cause serious problems, such as pneumonia. Each winter in the UK, thousands of children who do not have a health condition need hospital care because of flu.

Children can catch and spread flu easily.

Vaccinating them also helps protect others who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies, anyone who's pregnant and older people.

Click here for more information on Children's Flu Vaccine