NHS24 - Health Information and Self Care Advice for Scotland

Should children be given the seasonal flu vaccination?

A child who has one of the conditions listed below or who has previously been admitted to hospital with a serious chest or respiratory condition should have flu vaccine as they may not be able to recover from seasonal flu as well as other children can. They are more likely to be very ill if they catch seasonal flu, and it could make their existing condition worse. Talk to your GP or practice nurse about your child having the seasonal flu vaccination.

• A heart problem
• A chest complaint or breathing difficulties including, bronchitis or cystic fibrosis (CF)
• Kidney disease
• Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
• A liver disease
• Had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• Diabetes
• A neurological condition e.g. cerebral palsy
• A problem with, or removal of, their spleen e.g. sickle cell disease

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