Flu vaccination is recommended for those who are most at risk of serious complications if they get flu. For adults this includes everyone aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, and those with certain long-term health conditions. Flu can be a serious illness in these people and the vaccine offers the best protection.
 
This year most eligible adults will be offered a flu vaccine from early October, which might be slightly later than in previous years. This is because the latest scientific evidence shows that protection from the flu vaccine decreases over time in adults. It is therefore better to have the vaccine closer to when flu typically circulates. All eligible adults have now received their invite from us with the details of when our walk-in clinics are.
 
If you are pregnant, you should have the vaccine from September. This is because the protection from the vaccine is passed through the placenta to the baby, giving the baby protection for the first few months of life when they are particularly at risk from flu. If you would like to book an appointment for your flu vaccine before October please get in touch.
 
Vaccination for children who are offered a flu vaccine on the NHS will also start from September because their protection from the vaccine doesn’t decrease as quickly as it does in adults.
 
Children aged two and three years and school aged children with long term health conditions, have received their first invite from us to book in for their nasal flu vaccination. Please follow the instructions on your child’s invite to book them into our dedicated “Flu Fighters” nasal flu clinic on Saturday 28th September.
 
This year our “flu fighters” clinic will be held at Park Medical Centre, 434 Altrincham Road, M23 9AB. Our nurses will be dressed as superheroes and stickers and superhero masks will be given to everyone who joins us to become a Flu Hero! Children are welcome to come in their favourite fancy dress. There will also be organisations present who can support with benefits and finances in addition to some fun activities for the children.

The nasal vaccine will be offered in school for children who have not received an invite from us.

The FREE nasal spray is the best defence children have against flu.

Here are five great reasons why your child should become a Flu Fighter:

1) The vaccine will help protect your child against flu and serious complications like bronchitis and pneumonia.
2) Vaccinating your child will help protect more vulnerable family members and your friends, too.
3) There’s no nasty needles! The nasal spray is a quick squirt up the nose, nothing more – it’s easy and painless.
4) It’s better than having flu! The nasal spray helps protect against flu, has been given to millions of children worldwide and has an excellent safety record.
5) It can also save you money, because if your child gets flu, you might end up having to take time off work or arrange alternative childcare.
  
For more information about the nasal flu vaccine, visit www.nhs.uk/child-flu