Child flu vaccination
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NHS Scotland recommends all eligible children should get the flu vaccine to help protect them from influenza (flu).
The flu vaccine is currently offered to all:
- children aged 6 months to 2 years with an eligible health condition
- children aged 2 to 5 years and not yet at school (children must be aged 2 years or above on 1 September to be eligible)
- primary and secondary school children
Flu vaccination clinics for children aged 2 to 5 years
Parents or guardians will receive a letter asking them to phone our local Service Delivery Centre to make an appointment for their child at a community vaccination clinic. See our map of clinic locations.
Important: Help by phone or email
Use these contacts for questions about vaccination clinics, including if you:
- have been asked to book an appointment
- need to rearrange an appointment
- need to cancel an appointment (please let us know so we can offer a place to someone else)
When leaving a message by phone or email, please include your name and address (including postcode). One of the team will get back to you as soon as possible. Leave one message only as this will help the team to get back to everyone quickly.
Phone or email our local Service Delivery Centre
phone 0800 032 0339
Available:
- Monday, 9:30am to 5:00pm
- Tuesday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
You can leave a voicemail outside these hours with details.
email nhsh.vaccinationenquiries@nhs.scot
Phone the National Vaccination Helpline
phone 0800 030 8013
Available:
- Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm
- Saturday, 9:00am to 1:00pm
Community vaccination clinic locations
Important: Child flu vaccine information at NHS inform
Influenza (flu) is an infectious respiratory virus. Symptoms may include a fever, a cough, a headache, and tiredness. Flu can be serious, even for healthy young people.
- Who’s being offered the vaccine?
- Why should I have my child vaccinated?
- How is the vaccine given?
- How will my child be offered the vaccine?
- Possible side effects of the child flu vaccines
- What if my child is ill on the day?
- What if my child misses their flu vaccine?
- Additional information for children with allergies and health conditions
- Information in other languages and formats
Help beat flu with a wee scoosh (video)
The flu vaccine is offered to children and young people aged 2 to 17 years and is usually given as a nasal (nose) spray into each nostril. It’s the safest and easiest way to help protect your child against flu.
What to expect during your flu vaccination (video)
This shows what to expect at your flu vaccination appointment, which is given as a painless nasal spray.
