What if my child has a health condition?

If your child is aged six months or older and has one of the following health conditions, it is important they have a flu vaccine every year as they are at greater risk of complications from flu.

Conditions include:

• Diabetes
• A heart problem
• A chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including asthma that requires regular steroid inhalers or tablets
• Kidney disease (from stage 3)
• Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (and also close contacts of people in this group)
• Liver disease
• A stroke or mini stroke
• A neurological condition
• A missing spleen or a problem with it
• A learning disability
• Young people with a higher body weight (Body Mass Index of 40 or above)

Children in these groups may get their vaccine at their school if they are in Reception to Year 11, or at their GP surgery.

Young carers

It is extra important for children and young people who care for someone who is vulnerable to flu and its complications to have a flu vaccine every year.

It helps protect them and also the person they care for.