The flu is an acute viral infection that usually spreads through droplets released by sneezing or coughing. Young children (0-5 years) are in a risk group because the flu often causes complications in children, the most common of which are bacterial ear and lung infections. Therefore, we recommend vaccinating children against the flu every autumn, starting from six months of age.
Vaccinating children against the flu:
- helps prevent illness in family members (especially important if there are children under six months in the family)
- protects grandparents from getting the flu
- reduces medical visits, need for antibiotic courses and hospital admissions
In addition to the standard injectable flu vaccine, there is also a nasal flu vaccine for children, which is much more convenient for the child. Unlike the injectable vaccine, which protects against two strains of influenza A and two strains of influenza B, the nasal vaccine protects against two strains of influenza A and one strain of influenza B.
The nasal flu vaccine helps protect children against the flu virus strains included in the vaccine and closely related strains. The vaccine is sprayed into both nostrils. During the administration of the vaccine, the child can breathe normally, there is no need to actively inhale or draw air through the nose. After vaccine administration, the immune system responds by producing its own protection against the flu virus. None of the ingredients in the vaccine cause the flu.
Children and adolescents aged 24 months and older receive one dose. For children under nine years old who have not been previously vaccinated against the flu, a second dose should be administered at least four weeks after the first.
All vaccinations done at Confido are recorded in your vaccination passport, which we ask you to take with you when you come to get vaccinated. If necessary, we will issue a new passport for an additional fee.
More information about flu vaccination can be found on the Health Board’s website.
