Flu jabs start for children and pregnant women

CHILDREN and pregnant women in England will start receiving flu vaccinations from today - with school immunisation teams in some areas offering jabs to two to three-year-olds in nurseries for the first time, the NHS has said.

- ELLIE NG

Expectant mothers and all children aged between two and 16 years are eligible for the vaccine in the rollout ahead of winter, with the age range expanding for those in clinical risk groups to between six months and 18 years.

Most school-aged children will receive the jabs at school - with younger children and those who miss their school or nursery session also able to get vaccinated at their GP practice or at a community clinic - while pregnant women should arrange to receive the vaccine at their scheduled maternity appointments or with their GP or pharmacy.

‘The “first time” move to vaccinate two to three-year-olds in nurseries in some areas is expected to be rolled out more widely, the health service said.