The NHS in Lincolnshire is encouraging parents and guardians in Lincolnshire to get their child’s annual flu vaccine, ensuring they are protected as winter approaches. Many school aged children in Lincolnshire will have already received their flu vaccination at school or be due to receive it once half-term finishes through the School Age Immunisation Service (SAIS).
Flu cases are rising
“Getting your child protected against flu is vitally important. In Lincolnshire and across the country we are seeing an earlier flu season this year with the number of flu cases rising at a sharper rate than this time last year, with the highest rate being in those aged 5-14 years-olds,” comments Steph Hart, Assistant Locality Lead – Vaccination Programme, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board.
“Vaccinations are a key defence against flu and various other diseases and can play an important role in lessening the impact of these diseases on you, your child, and your wider family.”
Flu vaccination offered at school
This autumn, all schoolchildren from reception to year 11 will be offered a flu vaccination at school and most will be offered the nasal spray flu vaccine, which is a quick and painless way to give the flu vaccination.
Remember to give your consent
However, it’s important for parents and guardians to remember they need to give their consent for their child to be vaccinated. This can be done by completing an online consent form, which is usually sent via email to parents and guardians by their child’s school.
Flu vaccination for younger children
It’s also a good opportunity to remind parents and guardians of younger children that 2-3 year-olds should also have the flu vaccination. To-date around one third of eligible 2-3 year-olds in Lincolnshire have had their flu vaccination.
“The flu vaccination can be done at your GP surgery or a participating Community Pharmacy. As with older children, 2-3 year-olds will be given the nasal spray flu vaccine. You should contact your surgery to book an appointment,” explains Steph.
Vaccination is the best protection against flu
“Getting your child vaccinated is the best way to protect them, if they’re not vaccinated they’re not protected. It’s also worth remembering that children with long-term health conditions are at a higher risk of complications from flu, so it’s important they are vaccinated, either at school or by booking an appointment at their GP practice.”
Find out more
You can find out more about the children’s flu vaccine here Children’s flu vaccine – NHS.
You can book a free flu vaccination for your child aged 2 or 3 years (as of 31 August 2025 – i.e. born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2023) at their GP practice by contacting them directly or a participating Community Pharmacy by booking online here http://www.nhs.uk/bookflu.
The pharmacy finder can be used to find walk-in appointments.