This autumn, the NHS is offering seasonal flu vaccinations to all children from the age of 2 up to those who are in Year 11 at school. Young people over 16 who are considered clinically vulnerable to flu will be invited to have a flu shot.
The NHS is also inviting children and young people who are more clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 to have a seasonal COVID-19 booster vaccination.
- If you are not sure if your child should have one or both seasonal vaccinations, you can contact your child’s doctor (such as their GP or specialist). They should be able to check for you.
We’ve brought together some tips on how you can support your child if they are due to have a seasonal vaccination.
This article includes a photograph of a needle, and a photo of someone wearing a face mask.
Before their vaccination
Talk to your child about how vaccines work to protect them, their friends and their family
You can read a simple guide explaining the flu and its vaccination for children.
You can also use these easy read guides about COVID-19 and its vaccination. There are guides for different age groups.
Talk to your child about where they will have their vaccinations and what they will be like
Most children will normally have their flu vaccination at school. It’s a small spray up their nose. If your young person is over 16 and is invited to a free flu vaccination then they will have an injection at their GP surgery or local pharmacy.
COVID-19 vaccinations normally happen at a vaccination centre or a pharmacy. This vaccine is given using a needle in their upper arm. Children and young people who are going to have a COVID-19 vaccination should wear clothing with short or loose sleeves.
You can use social stories or role play to discuss what to expect for each type of vaccination.
Check about reasonable adjustments
If your child will need some adjustments to be able to have their flu vaccination, talk to your school about options. You may be able to arrange the flu vaccination to happen at a community clinic instead of school, but this may involve travelling further.
If you are going to a COVID-19 vaccination centre or pharmacy, you can ask about reasonable adjustments such as a quieter time, dimmer lights or avoiding the waiting room.
Plan your trip together
If you are going to a new place to get a vaccination, you might want to include your child in planning the trip. You can use online maps to get familiar with what the building will look like and how you’ll get there.
The person who does the vaccination may be:
- A woman or a man
- in a nurse’s uniform or dressed in every day clothes
- wearing medical gloves
- wearing a face mask
The face mask is to reduce the risk of catching or spreading an illness.
At the vaccination clinic
You can bring something sensory that your child will enjoy having with them like a cuddly toy, a fidget, headphones, or their favourite game on your phone or tablet. This can help them focus on something fun rather than worrying about what is about to happen.
If they are starting to feel anxious, ask them to identify one thing they can see, hear, touch, taste and smell. This can help to ground them in the present.
Young Minds has a guide on helping your child or young person if they are experiencing anxiety.
After a flu or COVID-19 vaccination
After a vaccination, many people feel a little unwell. This is normal and is the body reacting to the vaccine. Treat it like any other time your child is not well.
Reassure your child
Feeling a little unwell after a vaccination is normal, even adults can feel a bit poorly sometimes. It’s just your body reacting to the vaccine.
Offer them their favourite comforts
You’ll know what they find comforting – their favourite food, their favourite tv show, their favourite blanket. Maybe it’s time for a cushion den on the sofa and watching lots of Bluey on the iPlayer?
Seek medical advice if your child’s symptoms are unusual
The NHS provides advice on when to contact them if something seems wrong after a vaccination. Read the NHS guidance on what is normal and when to contact 111 or 999 after a COVID-19 vaccination.