Our Immunisation and Vaccination team works in partnership with schools and local authorities to deliver a variety of vaccination programmes across the academic year to state, independent and home school-aged children and young people across Essex.
It is important to get your child vaccinated.
Flu vaccination catch up clinics
Has your child missed their school vaccinations? We are running catch up clinics across Essex for the flu vaccination.
It's easy to catch up.
Book your nearest clinic NOW on:
Essex, 0300 790 0597
Luton, 0300 790 0594, by appointment only.
or for more information on missed vaccinations.
Vaccination clinic locations and dates.
Dates open for appointment:
Braintree, NHS Livewell Hub, Saunders House, Manor Street, Braintree CM7 3HP
TBC
Chelmsford, Galleywood YC, Chelmsford, Watchouse Road, CM2 8PT
22 December, 10am - 2:30pm
Witham, Witham Health Centre, 4 Mayland Road, Witham, CM8 2UX
9 December, 10am - 2:30pm
South Woodham Ferres, Crouch Vale Medical Centre, Burnham Road, South Woodham Ferres, CM3 5QP
13 January 2024, 10am - 2pm
Dates open for appointment:
Clacton, Clacton Green Lodge, 180 Old Road, Clacton, CO15 3AY
TBC
Colchester, Bearchurch Children Centre, The Ormiston Centre, School Road, Colchester, CO2 8NN
TBC
Colchester, Stanway Youth Centre, Winstree Road, Colchester, CO3 0PZ
16 December, 10am - 2pm
Harwich, The Vibe, Harwich Main Road, Harwich CO12 4AH
2 December, 10am - 2pm
Dates open for appointment:
Leigh-On-Sea, Leigh Primary Care Centre, 918 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 3NG
21 December, 10am - 2pm
Rayleigh, Rayleigh Clinic, Eastwood Road, Rayleigh SS6 7JP
TBC
Rochford, Lavendar House drive thru Rochford Hospital, Union Lane, Rochford, SS4 1RB
TBC
Southend, Civic Centre, 7 Carnarvon Road, Southend, SS2 6LR
TBC
Dates open for appointment:
Basildon, Timberlog Youth Centre, Timberlog Lane, Basildon, SS14 1PB
22 December, 10:30am - 2:30pm
13 January, 10am - 2pm
Brentwood, The Hermit Youth Centre, Shenfield Road, Brentwood, CM15 8AG
Please note no parking available on site Please park at Brentwood Sainsbury’s and walk to the Youth Centre.
23 October, 10am - 3pm
21 December, 10am - 2pm
3 January, 10am - 2pm
Grays, Thurrock Hospital Thameside House, Long Lane, Grays, RM16 2PX
16 December, 10:30am - 2:30pm
27 December, 10:30am - 2pm
Tilbury, Tilbury Children Centre, London Road, Tilbury RM18 8EY
21 December, 10:30am - 2pm
Dates open for appointment:
Epping, St Margaret’s Hospital, Orchard Day Room, Epping, CM16 6TN
18 December, 3pm - 4:30pm
Loughton, New Beginnings Nursery, Sunrise Children Centre, Aldreton Hall Lane, Loughton IG10 3HR
19 December, 3pm - 4:10pm
9 January, 3pm - 4:10pm
Harlow, Treehouse Clinic, Harlow Children’s Centre, Parnall Road, Harlow CM18 7NG
21 December, 3pm - 4:30pm
Flu Vaccine
Flu is serious and with COVID-19 still circulating it has never been more important for your child to get their free vaccine.
Do your bit and protect your child and others from flu.
Flu is caused by the influenza virus. The virus enters the body through the nose and mouth. From there it is transmitted to the throat and upper airways where it rapidly reproduces and goes on to cause the symptoms of flu. Children can catch and spread flu easily.
Flu can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can lead to painful ear infections and serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Children with long-term health conditions, such as diabetes or heart problems, are at higher risk from flu. It's important they're vaccinated.
Vaccinating your child also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people. People at risk from flu are also vulnerable to the complications of COVID-19.
What is flu? Animation for children
The children's flu vaccine is an annual vaccination to help protect them against flu.
Even if your child was vaccinated last year, it recommended that they have the vaccine each year and with COVID-19 still circulating, it has never been more important for your child to get the free flu vaccine.
The flu vaccine contains small amounts of weakened flu viruses. They do not cause flu in children.
The children’s flu vaccine is free and needle-free as most children are given a simple nasal spray, a single squirt up each nostril. It is quick and painless.
The nasal spray is safe and effective. It offers the best protection for children aged 2 to 17 years and it is offered every year to children to help protect them against flu. As the main flu viruses can change each year, a new nasal spray vaccine has to be given each year.
Note: The nasal spray vaccine contains small traces of pork gelatine (porcine gelatine). If you do not want your child to receive a vaccine containing gelatine an injectable vaccine can be offered as an alternative. Please call (Essex) 0300 790 0597 or (BLMK) 0300 790 0594.
What children and parents think of the nasal spray vaccine
Possible side effects of the flu vaccine
The nasal spray flu vaccine for children is very safe. Most side effects are mild and do not last long, such as:
If your child has the injected flu vaccine, side effects might include:
These side effects usually last for a day or two. It's rare for anyone to have a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine.
How can my child get the flu vaccine?
Our immunisation team are attending schools across the area this autumn to administer the annual flu vaccine. Delivering the vaccination programme through schools is the best way to ensure the maximum number of children are protected against flu.
If your child is at school, you will be contacted directly by your school. As a parent you can also refer your child to get a vaccine via:
FAQs
Can all children have the flu vaccine?
Yes, it is free for
Is flu really that serious for children?
It can be a serious illness that leads to complications like bronchitis and pneumonia, and painful ear infection in children. It could also mean more time off school. But flu also spreads easily so by vaccinating children you are also stopping the spread to your families and the wider community.
Where will my child receive the vaccine?
Children in primary school will receive their vaccine in the school setting. Children aged two and three on 31 August will receive their vaccine in the GP setting. If your child is at school, your school or GP will contact you about getting vaccinated before the winter.
Why are healthy children being offered the flu vaccine?
Flu is a disease that spreads very rapidly, potentially causing widespread illness, especially in those who are already vulnerable because of their age or medical condition. So if children are vaccinated against flu they will not only benefit directly by being protected themselves, they will also reduce the spread of flu and help protect the whole population. In particular, they will help to protect those children and adults who cannot or do not have the vaccine. With the country still in recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and the flu season rapidly approaching, it will also help to reduce pressure on the NHS and other vital services.
Does my child have to have the flu vaccine?
No. As with all immunisations, flu vaccinations for children are optional. However, this vaccine will help protect them from what can be an unpleasant illness, as well as stopping them spreading flu to vulnerable friends and relatives.
What vaccine will my child receive?
Most children will be offered the Fluenz nasal spray. This is a single spray squirted up each nostril. It is needle free, quick and painless.
The vaccine contains live but weakened flu viruses that do not cause flu in children. It will help your child build up immunity to flu in a similar way as natural infection, but without symptoms. Because the main flu viruses change each year, a new nasal spray vaccine has to be given each year.
Will the flu vaccine give my child flu?
No. The vaccine contains viruses that have been weakened to prevent them from causing flu.
Can my child have the injected flu vaccine instead of the nasal spray?
The nasal flu vaccine is more effective than the injected vaccine for children aged two and over and is therefore the preferred option.
Why is the Fluenz nasal spray vaccine being used?
The flu virus enters the body through the nose and mouth. From there it is transmitted to the throat and upper airways where it rapidly replicates and goes on to cause the symptoms of flu. Because Fluenz also enters the body through the nose it mimics the flu virus and results in a better immune response than an injected vaccine. This means that, compared with injected and less active vaccines, Fluenz:
Does the nasal flu vaccine contain pork?
Yes, the vaccine contains a highly processed form of gelatine that is derived from pigs – porcine gelatine. This gelatine helps to keep the vaccine viruses stable to ensure it provides the best protection against flu.
Why is porcine gelatine used in nasal spray vaccines?
Gelatine is used in a very wide range of medicines, including many capsules and some vaccines. Porcine gelatine is used in vaccines as a stabiliser – to ensure that the vaccine remains safe and effective during storage. Vaccine manufacturers normally test a wide range of stabilisers and choose one that is stable, good quality and available in sufficient volume. Unlike the gelatine used in foods, the product used in vaccines is highly purified and broken down into very small molecules called peptides.
Why can’t vaccines be made with other stabilisers or other types of gelatine?
Developing a vaccine takes many years of laboratory testing and clinical studies to ensure that it is both safe and effective. Once the manufacturer has chosen the stabiliser for the vaccine, any change in this could require extensive laboratory and clinical studies to show that the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine has not been affected. Because of this, developing a new safe and effective vaccine with a different stabiliser may take several years or may never happen.
Are there any suitable alternatives to this vaccine?
There are injectable flu vaccines that do not contain porcine gelatine. These are generally expected to be less effective than Fluenz Tetra® in children. They may also do less to reduce the spread of flu in the community.
Where can I find out more information on the flu vaccine?
Click here for more NHS information on the flu vaccine for children
Contact details
Call your immunisation team on:
0300 790 0597 – Essex
0300 790 0594 – Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes
Useful links
