Children aged two to eight can be protected against flu with a simple, free NHS nasal spray vaccine this winter.

The vaccine, which involves no needles, is available to children who were aged between two and eight on August 31.

Hywel Dda University Health Board is urging parents of eligible children to ensure they have the vaccine, which helps protect against catching flu, as well as helping to prevent the spread of this potentially serious and highly contagious illness.

Influenza can affect children severely and in recent years in Wales, children and adults have been admitted to hospital and intensive care units with flu. The age range for children to receive this vaccine has been extended this year to include children in primary school year four, so more children will be protected this winter than ever before.

For most children, the recommended flu vaccination is a nasal spray, which is quick, safe, and completely pain free.

Jenny Israel, head of children’s public health nursing, Hywel Dda University Health Board, explains why it’s so important that eligible children receive the flu nasal spray vaccine.

She said: “We are encouraging children in the eligible groups to be vaccinated to prevent the spread of flu in schools and the wider community. Flu symptoms include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles. In young children gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea can also occur, and can lead to some children needing admission to hospital, which can be a frightening experience for the child and the parents.

“For those most at risk - the very young, vulnerable adults, pregnant women and the elderly - flu can be very serious. It can lead to serious illnesses such as bronchitis, otitis media (particularly in children), pneumonia; and in some cases meningitis and encephalitis, and even death.

“Children are super-spreaders of flu. Vaccinating children minimises the spread of flu to their family, within nurseries and schools, and in the general population, and so protects the most vulnerable from flu and its complications.”

For two and three-year-old children, the vaccine will generally be given at their local GP surgery, and for children in reception class and school years one, two, three and four, it will be given at their school. Parents/guardians are required to give consent before any child receives the flu nasal spray vaccine.

For most healthy children, influenza can mean several miserable days at home in bed. However, parents should be aware that flu can sometimes result in serious complications, especially for very young children and those with long term health problems, such as moderate or severe asthma, for whom it can even be life threatening.

In addition to children, other groups strongly advised to get vaccinated are pregnant women, individuals from six months of age with long term health conditions, people aged 65 and over and carers. Health and social care workers are also advised to have the flu vaccination to protect themselves and the people they care for.

Immunity wanes over time and each year the flu viruses that circulate and cause health problems can change so vaccines are also changed to match them. Getting an annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from catching or spreading influenza.

For further information visit www.beatflu.org or follow Beat Flu on Facebook and Twitter.