We recommend children should get the flu vaccine to help protect them from influenza (flu). Flu can be serious. Even healthy children can become seriously ill from flu. In some cases flu can lead to complications. These can include bronchitis, pneumonia, painful middle-ear infection, vomiting, diarrhoea. In the worst cases, flu can lead to disability and even death.
Flu can be even more serious for people with health conditions such as:
- asthma
- heart, kidney, liver or neurological disease
- diabetes
- a weakened immune system
- a spleen that does not work fully
Flu can make health conditions worse.
Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccination also helps protect others who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, such as babies and older people.
Drop ins
Childhood vaccination drop-in sessions are available to accommodate pre-school children aged 2 to 5 years and primary school aged children, who have missed their in school session. Please see a list of clinics below:
South Ayrshire
- Thursday 12 December 2024, North Ayr Health Centre Glenmuir Place Ayr, 5pm – 7pm
East Ayrshire
- Tuesday 10 December, Dalmellington Community Centre, 4pm-7.30pm
- Thursday 12 December, NWKAC, Kilmarnock, 4pm-7.30pm
- Friday 13 December, Newmilns Clinic, 4pm-7.30pm
North Ayrshire
- Saturday 7 December, Ayrshire Central Hospital, Outpatients Department, 10am -1.45pm
School vaccination information packs
An envelope with an information booklet pertaining to the vaccine, ingredients and any side effects, consent form and completion guide will be given to all School age children in Ayrshire and Arran from the week commencing 19th August 2024. These will be distributed by the child’s School. If you/your child does not receive a flu pack/consent form please enquire at the school to be given a blank pack.
Please complete all forms and return to the school as soon as possible. Please ensure the consent form is returned even if you DO NOT consent to you/your child receiving the vaccine.
How is the vaccine given?
In Scotland, children aged 2 to 17 will usually be given the nasal spray flu vaccine. It’s quick and painless and there’s no need to sniff or inhale the vaccine. It’ll just feel like a tickle in their nose.
Children aged 2 to 17 years who cannot receive the nasal spray vaccine will receive the injectable flu vaccine.
Pre-School Flu Vaccination Offer
This vaccine is offered to children who are aged 2 to 5 years on 1 September 2024 (and not yet in school). It is also the Nasal Flu Spray which will be administered.
The vaccine will be delivered in either a local community clinic, a GP practice or a nursery.
Children aged 2 to 5 years (not yet at school) who will have their immunisation delivered in a Community Clinic or GP practice will be sent a letter in the post offering them a free flu vaccination. The letter will give an appointment date and time alongside a phone number to call for any rescheduling requirements.
If your child has to have the immunisation delivered within the Nursery the date of the session will be conveyed to parents directly via Nursery. There will be a consent form for parents to complete.