Child flu vaccination
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NHS Scotland recommends all eligible children should get the flu vaccine this year, between September and December 2024, to help protect them from influenza (flu).
The flu vaccine is offered to all:
- children aged 6 months to 2 years with an eligible health condition
- children aged 2 to 5 years and not yet at school (children must be aged 2 years or above on 1 September 2024 to be eligible)
- primary and secondary school children
Children aged 2 to 5 years
Parents or guardians will receive a letter asking them to make an appointment for their child. Phone our Service Delivery Centre to make an appointment.
Currently, vaccination clinics are planned for these locations, dates and times:
Primary and secondary school children
Flu vaccinations started in schools in the NHS Highland area in September 2024. Consent packs were sent home with children - it is important that these are returned, to allow processing and ensure that flu vaccinations can commence.
Parents or guardians of secondary school pupils should be aware that children who have not returned a consent form may be assessed on the day that vaccines are delivered, using best efforts to establish if the parent or guardian consents to the vaccine.
Children can self consent to the vaccine even if they are under 16 years of age, following assessment by the vaccinator.
Important: Child flu vaccine information at NHS inform
Influenza (flu) is an infectious respiratory virus. Symptoms may include a fever, a cough, a headache, and tiredness. Flu can be serious, even for healthy young people.
Read more about the flu vaccine for children at NHS inform, including:
- Who’s being offered the vaccine?
- Why should I have my child vaccinated?
- How is the vaccine given?
- How will my child be offered the vaccine?
- Possible side effects of the child flu vaccines
- What if my child is ill on the day?
- What if my child misses their flu vaccine?
- Additional information for children with allergies and health conditions
- Information in other languages and formats
Help beat flu with a wee scoosh (video)
The flu vaccine is offered to children and young people aged 2 to 17 years and is usually given as a nasal (nose) spray into each nostril. It’s the safest and easiest way to help protect your child against flu.
What to expect during your flu vaccination (video)
This shows what to expect at your flu vaccination appointment, which is given as a painless nasal spray.
Important: Help by phone or email
When leaving a message by phone or email, please include your name and address (including postcode). One of the team will get back to you as soon as possible. Leave one message only as this will help our team to get back to everyone quickly.
Phone
Contact our local Service Delivery Centre helpline if you:
- have been asked to book an appointment
- need to rearrange an appointment
- need to cancel an appointment (please let us know so we can offer a place to someone else)
- have questions about vaccination clinics
phone 08000 320 339
Available:
- Monday, 9:30am to 5:00pm
- Tuesday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
You can leave a voicemail outside these hours with details.
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