Question 1

Do I need to do anything?

Accepted Answer

Children who are aged two or three (age on 31 August 2025) are usually invited to have their flu vaccine at their GP surgery.

In some areas, children are offered their flu vaccine in nursery.

If your child is in this age group and hasn’t received an invitation for their flu vaccine by mid-November, contact their GP surgery.

Question 2

Is flu serious?

Accepted Answer

Flu can be serious for children. Flu is caused by a virus and some children can develop serious complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia and ear infections. Most years some children in Wales will need treatment in intensive care units because of flu.

All children aged two and three years old (age on 31 August 2025) will be offered a nasal spray flu vaccine this autumn/winter to help protect them from flu.

It is especially important that children who have a long-term health condition get vaccinated, as they are at a greater risk of complications than other children if they catch flu.

Question 3

How does a flu vaccine help?

Accepted Answer

Having a flu vaccine will help protect your child from flu. Most children and young people have their vaccine as a quick and painless nasal spray.

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 greater risk from flu, such as young babies, grandparents, 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.

Question 4

Does the flu vaccine cause flu?

Accepted Answer

No, the nasal flu spray for children does not cause the flu. The vaccine contains weakened, live flu viruses that are designed to trigger an immune response without causing illness. These weakened viruses help children build immunity to the flu.

Some individuals may experience mild side effects like a low-grade fever or muscle aches, but these are normal reactions of the body's immune system building protection and are not the flu itself.

It takes about two weeks for the body to develop full immunity after vaccination, so it's possible to get infected with the flu before the vaccine fully protects you.

Question 5

What type of flu vaccine is given to 2-3 year olds?

Accepted Answer

Most children and young people will get their flu vaccine as a painless nasal spray as this is the best flu vaccine for them. It is a fine mist that is sprayed up the nose from the tip of each nostril and can be given from the age of two. Most children are not upset after receiving a flu nasal spray.

Most children and young people who can’t have the nasal spray vaccine can have a flu vaccine injection instead, 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 need a flu vaccine injection instead.

Question 6

Are there any side effects to the nasal flu spray?

Accepted Answer

The flu vaccine does not cause flu, however for a day or two after vaccination, some children may:

Get a temperature
Feel tired
Have a headache
Have aching muscles
Have a reduced appetite
Get a runny or blocked nose

Children and young people who need a flu vaccine injection may also have a sore arm for a day or two after vaccination.

Flu vaccines are very safe and other reactions are less common.

You can report suspected side effects of the vaccines through the Yellow Card scheme. You can do this online at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or by calling the Yellow Card scheme on 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Question 7

What if my child has a health condition?

Accepted Answer

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 greater 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
A stroke or mini stroke
A neurological condition
A missing spleen or a problem with it
A learning disability
Young people with a higher body weight (Body Mass Index of 40 or above)

Children in these groups may get their vaccine at their school if they are in Reception to Year 11, or at their GP surgery.

Question 8

Can my child have the vaccine if they have allergies?

Accepted Answer

Most children can have a flu vaccine if they have allergies. The person giving the vaccine will check to be sure it is safe to give.

Most children and young people who are allergic to egg can receive the 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 may need to be referred to a specialist. Your child may be offered a flu vaccine injection instead.

Question 9

What about cochlear implants?

Accepted Answer

If your child is having a cochlear implant in the week before their nasal spray vaccination appointment or due to have the vaccination in the two weeks after their implant speak to your health visitor, GP or practice nurse for more advice.

Question 10

Is there anyone who shouldn't have the nasal spray vaccine?

Accepted Answer

The nasal spray vaccine can’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 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.
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

Question 11

Does the nasal spray contain gelatine?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it contains small traces of highly purified porcine 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.

Nasal Flu Spray | 2-3 Years

Children aged 2 & 3 (on 31 Aug 2025) can have a quick and painless nasal spray flu vaccine

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Public Health Wales (PHW)

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