Guidance

Flu vaccines for children and young people

Updated 10 June 2024

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/which-flu-vaccine-should-children-have/flu-vaccines-for-children-and-young-people

Flu vaccines

There are 3 types of flu vaccine available for children in 2024 to 2025:

  1. Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) nasal spray suspension. Available to order from ImmForm.

  2. Injected inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine, cell grown (QIVc). Available to order from ImmForm.

  3. Injected inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine, egg grown (QIVe). Not supplied by ImmForm.

Vaccine type by age group is shown below.

Under 6 months of age

Infants under 6 months of age are too young to have the flu vaccine. This is why it is important that expectant mothers have a flu vaccination; pregnant women can have the flu vaccine at any stage of their pregnancy.

Aged 6 months to under 2 years of age

In a clinical risk group (or a household contact of an immunocompromised individual)

If no - they are not eligible for the flu vaccine.

If yes - they should have the injected QIVc . If QIVc is not available give QIVe (QIVe not supplied by ImmForm)

Children in this age group who have never had a flu vaccination will need 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart.

Aged from 2 years* to less than 18 years of age in eligible year groups or in a clinical risk group**

*aged 2 years on 31 August 2024, unless in a clinical risk group.

**or a household contact of an immunocompromised individual.

The LAIV nasal spray contraindicated or otherwise unsuitable

If the parent of an eligible child declines LAIV because of its porcine gelatine content, they can request an alternative injectable vaccine. QIVc is available to order from ImmForm for these children.

If no contraindications to LAIV nasal spray they should have the LAIV nasal spray vaccine.

Children under 9 years of age in a clinical risk group (or a household contact of an immunocompromised individual) who have never had a flu vaccination will need 2 doses 4 weeks apart.

If LAIV contraindicated or otherwise unsuitable they should have the injected QIVc. If QIVc is not available give QIVe (QIVe not supplied by ImmForm).

Resources

Further information is available in the Green Book Influenza chapter 19.

Resources for the current flu vaccination programme are available to download or order.

A PDF poster version of this guide is available to download.

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