CHILD FLU PROGRAMME – ELIGIBILITY
Posted on:
Dear colleagues
There has been some confusion about eligibility of the child flu programme and which providers are able to administer the flu programme. Please see below a table that explains this.
please find below the information regarding child flu eligibility:
The following table supports the delivery model for children eligible for flu vaccination via various settings.
| Children | GP | Participating community pharmacies | Community clinics | at school | |
| Aged 2 and 3 (on 31 August 2026) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| 4 year olds | 4-year-olds (who have turned 4 during the flu season (on or after 1 September 2026)). These children qualify for the programme as a 3 year old (as they were 3 years old on 31 August 2026) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 4-year-olds not yet at school (on or before 31 August 2026) These children qualify for the programme as a school-aged child, even if their school-aged education has been delayed an academic year | ✓ (from 1 December) | ✓ | |||
| School-age children (reception to year 11): | ✓ (from 1 December) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Children aged 6 months to 17 with certain long-term health conditions | ✓ | ✓ (from 2 – 17 years) | ✓ (Reception to Year 11) | ||
The children’s flu vaccine is usually given as a quick and painless spray up the nose.
Children who cannot have the nasal spray will be offered an alternative flu vaccination by injection.
For more information: www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/
London Immunisation Team
NHS England – London Region