Health and wellbeing
Children in Walsall to be offered free flu vaccination this autumn
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Children across Walsall are being offered a free flu vaccination this autumn to protect them and others ahead of the winter season.
The flu vaccine is offered to children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions.
Children can now get a flu vaccine through their GP practice if they are aged 2 and 3 years old (or at participating pharmacies offering the children’s flu vaccine from 1 October).
Children who have certain health conditions and are aged between 6 months and 17 years old can get the flu vaccine from their GP surgery.
Most school-aged children (from Reception to Year 11) will get the flu vaccine through the school vaccination programme delivered by Vaccination UK. Parents and carers should have received consent forms, which need to be completed before vaccinations are scheduled to take place in their child’s school. The easiest way to complete the consent form is online through the Vaccination UK website. The form is available to complete in multiple languages.
Flu vaccination protects children, including those with certain health conditions, from life threatening infections such as pneumonia.
The vaccine is usually given through a nasal spray. However, a pork gelatine free alternative is available as an injection if the nasal spray is not suitable.
The vaccination is free and recommended for all children eligible.
“ Flu can be very unpleasant in children, causing symptoms like fever, tiredness, a dry cough and a sore throat. While most children get better within a week, flu can lead to serious problems and some children may need to go to hospital for treatment.
Flu viruses change every year, so it is important that children get vaccinated again this year, even if they have had the vaccine before. The flu vaccine is safe, quick and the best way to protect your child and others around them.
I would urge all parents and carers to complete and return the consent form for their child’s flu vaccination as soon as possible. “
“ The flu vaccine helps protect your child and reduces the risk of spreading flu to family members and the wider community. It reduces the need for time off school or work. Most children will receive the vaccine as a nasal spray. However, we know that others may prefer a pork gelatine-free alternative, which is given in the upper arm, and this is available if the nasal spray is not suitable.
The vaccine just takes a few minutes and will give your child the best protection. This means your child will be better able to fight off flu.
Even if your child sneezes after the nasal spray, there’s no need to worry—the vaccine will still work. Importantly, the vaccine cannot give your child flu.
Alongside flu, it is important that your child is protected against other serious illnesses such as measles, mumps and rubella. I would encourage you to check your child’s Red Book or speak to your GP to make sure all routine vaccinations, including the MMR vaccine, are up to date. “
Vaccination UK will be running catch-up clinics for children who miss their vaccination at school:
- 30 Oct 2025, 09:00 – 13:00 at Anchor Meadow Health Centre, Room 233, Aldridge Bypass, Aldridge, Walsall WS9 8AJ
- 29 Nov 2025, 09:00 – 13:00 at East Family Hub, Silver Court, Brownhills, Walsall WS8 6HA
To book an appointment or find out more, email Walsall@v-uk.co.uk or phone 01922 902 035
- Parents and carers are encouraged to complete and return consent forms in order for their child(ren) to have the flu vaccination. The easiest way is to complete the online consent form. The form can be completed in different languages.
- Evidence from the Child Death Overview Panel shows that flu vaccination can protect children with health conditions from life threatening infections such as pneumonia. Read more from the National Child Mortality Database.
- To find out more about the children’s flu vaccine visit the NHS website.
- Parents and carers can find out more about the MMR vaccine on the NHS website.
