Children and pregnant women are the first in line for their annual flu vaccination as the NHS ramps up its preparations for winter.

From today (17 September), the NHS will be sending invitations to parents and carers of 2 and 3-year-olds to come forward for their flu vaccine, complimenting the offer which has been available to this group and pregnant women since 1 September.

Last autumn, more than 3 million people took up the offer of a flu vaccine in the South East.

Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways of protecting yourself and the people around you from the debilitating effects of flu. Eligible children and pregnant women are the focus for the first phase of the vaccination programme this month, with older people, clinically at risk adults, care home residents and frontline workers due to start receiving their jabs from October.

Younger children (aged two or three) will be vaccinated at flu clinics run by their GP, with parents invited to make an appointment. Parents of school aged children will be contacted by their school aged immunisation service to complete a consent form and access vaccination in school or via a community clinic. Parents are strongly encouraged to fill out their consent forms to enable their child to get protected.

Children will be offered the nasal vaccine, as this is the most effective for them, as well as being more convenient and easily administered when compared to a jab. If this is not suitable for your child speak to your GP or practice nurse to discuss alternatives.

Pregnant women can have the jab at any point in their pregnancy through their GP or at their hospital maternity appointments.

Caroline Reid, Director of Commissioning for the South East who heads up the flu programme regionally, said: “The flu vaccine is our best defence against winter viruses, and it also helps alleviate the increased pressure on hospitals during the winter season.

“We know that the flu virus hospitalises thousands of people each year, therefore vaccinations are crucial in keeping more people healthy.

“I would urge everyone eligible to book their flu jabs as soon as they become available to protect themselves and those around them.”

Last year, during the peak of winter flu cases, national data showed there were 2,478 patients in hospital with flu each day – 2.5 times higher than compared to the year previous (2,478 w/e 4 February 2024 vs 961 in the same week of 2023).

In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:

From 1 September:

• pregnant women
• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
• primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
• secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
• all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years

From 3 October:

• those aged 65 years and over
• those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
• those in long-stay residential care homes
• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.

This month, for the first time ever, the NHS is also offering the RSV vaccine to pregnant women from 28 weeks and older adults aged 75-79. Pregnant women are encouraged to book their vaccine via their maternity service or GP practice and older adults should wait to be invited by the NHS.