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Child flu vaccinations

NHS Scotland recommends all eligible children should get the flu vaccine to help protect them from influenza (flu). The vaccine is given as a painless nasal spray.

Influenza (flu) is an infectious respiratory virus. Flu can be serious, even for healthy young people. Symptoms may include fever, cough, headache and tiredness.

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given as a painless nasal spray

Important: November, December 2026: child flu vaccination clinics

We are offering bookable flu vaccination clinics for 2 to 5-year-old pre-school children - please call to book an appointment.

Eligibility

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

Its As Easy As A Wee Scoosh Up The Nose

Bookable clinics for pre-school children

Please phone to book an appointment for your child aged 2 to 5 years old.

Dingwall

Fortrose

Invergordon

Inverness

Important: Help by phone or email

Our Service Delivery Centre provides a centralised point of contact for the population of the NHS Highland area, co-ordinating vaccination appointments. The Service Delivery Centre can be contacted to:

  • book an appointment 

  • rearrange an appointment 

  • cancel an appointment (please let us know so we can offer a place to someone else)

  • provide assistance with general vaccination enquiries - for example, if you have a condition that means you need additional support at your appointment, we can make arrangements

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.

Please do not send repeated voicemails and emails - we will attend to messages in order. This will help the team to get back to everyone quickly.

Call or email

email nhsh.vaccinationenquiries@nhs.scot

Please use this email address for enquiries whenever possible.

phone 0800 032 0339

Available:

  • Monday: 9:15am to 5:00pm

  • Tuesday: 9:00am to 5:00pm

  • Wednesday: 9:30am to 5:00pm

  • Thursday: 9:00am to 5:00pm

  • Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm

You can leave a voicemail outside these hours with details. The line is closed on public holidays.

Important: Child flu vaccine information at NHS inform

NHS Inform Logo

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
read more about the flu vaccine for children at NHS inform

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.

Vaccinations for babies, children and young people - related pages

Last updated: 12 November 2026

Next review date: 22 November 2026

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Head Office

NHS Highland
Assynt House
Beechwood Park
Inverness
IV2 3BW

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