The NHS flu vaccine will be available for free to school-aged children from Reception to Year 11 from 1 September.

Parents are being urged to make sure their children are vaccinated as they head back to school.

The vaccine helps to protect young people from flu and reduce the spread of the virus to classmates, family members and those most vulnerable to serious illness.

Flu can be unpleasant for children and can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia.

According to the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System: "Vaccination is the best protection against the [flu] virus and helps keep children healthy, reduce absences from school and support learning throughout the winter months.

"National data shows that while most children are fully vaccinated by school age, almost one in five are not fully protected against several serious diseases because they have missed routine vaccinations.

"Vaccinations are estimated to prevent around 5,000 deaths and thousands of hospital admissions in England every year."

Pregnant women, children aged two and three years old on 31 August 2026 and children aged six months to under 18 years in clinical risk groups will also be offered the vaccine from 1 September.

Young people aged 17 and over attending special educational needs schools who are in a clinical risk group may also be vaccinated alongside their peers.

Vanessa Whatley, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, said: "Back to school is a good time to make sure your child's vaccinations are up to date.

"The flu vaccine helps protect children, reduces the spread of illness and helps keep them in school during the winter months.

"Flu can spread quickly among children, particularly when they return to classrooms and mix closely with friends.

"By taking up the offer of the free NHS flu vaccine, parents can help protect their child, their family and those who are more vulnerable to serious illness.

"If you are not sure whether your child has had all their vaccinations, you can check their record through the NHS App or speak to your GP practice.

"It's important that children have the best protection possible, but if any vaccinations have been missed, it's never too late to catch up."

Debbie Hallwood, Service Manager for the School Aged Immunisation Service at Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect children from serious illnesses such as flu, measles and meningitis.

"Our school immunisation teams will be visiting schools from September to offer children their flu vaccine.

"The vaccine is quick, safe and helps protect children throughout the winter months, when viruses can spread more easily.

"We encourage parents and carers to complete their child's consent form through MAVIS, the online vaccination consent system and make sure they attend their vaccination appointment where possible.

"If your child misses their appointment, they can attend a catch-up clinic.

"Parents should also use this opportunity to check that their child is up to date with all routine vaccinations and contact their GP practice if they are unsure or need to arrange any missed vaccinations."

Click here to check your child is up to date with vaccinations.