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Flu Immunisation 2024/25

You have been sent to this consent website as your child is due to receive their annual live nasal spray flu vaccination.

Last year, most children offered the vaccine in schools had the immunisation. The vaccination is free and recommended for all school aged children and will be given by a quick and simple spray up the nose. There is the choice of an injectable vaccine. This vaccine does not contain porcine gelatine.

Read more about the nasal flu vaccine here.

Read more about the inactivated injectable vaccine here.

Read more about Secondary School Flu immunisations here.

Please complete this consent form even if you decide you do not want to vaccinate your child against flu this year. Completion of a consent form is not mandatory; however, in line with good record-keeping guidance, we would like to keep a record of declined consents so that you will not be contacted again during this particular immunisation programme.

You will receive a confirmation email when you complete your consent form. Please check your junk mail.


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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions.

  • General
  • Flu
  • Technical
  • Can I take my child to the GP for their vaccination?

    Generally all school aged vaccinations are provided by the school immunisation team. The GP’s can vaccinate in certain circumstances, but usually only if the child has missed their vaccinations after the school year it was due.

    Occasionally, the team may request that vaccinations are given by the GP if it is thought to be more suitable.

  • What happens if I have missed the 'consent cut off date' but still want my child to be vaccinated?

    Whenever possible the team will provide a second vaccination opportunity, either in school or a community clinic. Please contact the team directly for further information.

  • What if I change my mind about my child having their vaccination after I have submitted consent?

    It is important that you contact the Immunisation Team immediately and speak to a member of staff. We also advise that you contact the school if the vaccination session is planned within the next 72 hours .

  • What if my child does not attend school?

    The team will be happy to see your child in one of our community clinics. Please contact the team to discuss your requirements.

  • What if my child has a medical condition?

    There are very few children that cannot receive their vaccinations.

    However, if your child has a medical condition, it is possible that we will ask you or your child’s GP or consultant for further information to ensure it is safe for them to receive the vaccination at the current time.

  • What if my child is unwell following their vaccination?

    All vaccines can cause side effects but studies suggest they are generally mild and soon settle. Some people may experience: Nasal Flu vaccine side effects:

    • Headache
    • Runny nose.

      Injectable Vaccine side effects:

    • Swelling
    • Redness
    • Tenderness
    • Development of a small lump at the injection site
    • Feeling or being sick
    • Headaches
    • Tiredness.

      If you are worried about your child you can telephone 111 for non-urgent medical advice or contact your GP practice. In an emergency please telephone 999. Further advice can be found at: www.nhs.uk.
      Call 111 for non-urgent medical advice and 999 in an emergency.
      Our team report any post-vaccination side effects that we are aware of, so please contact the Immunisation Team if you feel that we need to report any reactions experienced by your child.


  • What if my child is unwell on the day of the vaccination?

    Vaccinations can safely be given as long as the child is not systemically unwell.

    If your child is not well enough to attend school, then our team will make arrangements to see them next time we visit. Generally if they are well enough to be in school, they are usually well enough to be vaccinated.

    However, if your child is recovering from a chronic illness or recent infection, the nurse may decide to defer the vaccination until they are fully recovered. This is to ensure that any subsequent changes in their health are not wrongly attributed to the vaccination.

  • Where can I find out more information about vaccinations?

    You can find further information on the NHS choices website.

    Alternatively, you can speak to your GP, practice nurse or a member of the immunisation team.

  • Why do you need previous vaccination dates?

    We only ask for this information if it is needed to ensure the correct intervals between vaccinations. Please note that we do not have access to your child’s GP records, so we may not be aware of their previous vaccination date unless you advise us.

  • Are there any children who shouldn’t have the nasal vaccine?

    Children who should not have the nasal vaccine include those:

    • who are currently wheezy or have been wheezy in the past three days (vaccination should be delayed until at least three days after the wheezing has stopped).
    • are severely asthmatic, i.e. being treated with oral steroids or high dose inhaled steroids.
    • have a condition, or are on treatment, that severely weakens their immune system or have someone in their household who needs isolation because they are severely immunosuppressed.
    • have severe egg allergy. Most children with egg allergy can be safely immunised with nasal flu vaccine. However, children with a history of severe egg allergy with anaphylaxis requiring hospitalisation should seek specialist advice.
    • are allergic to any other components of the vaccine.

    As children with pre-existing medical conditions may be more vulnerable to complications of flu it is especially important that they are vaccinated.

    If you are unsure whether your child should get the injected vaccine or the nasal vaccine please check with the school immunisation team or your GP surgery.

  • Are there any side-effects of the flu vaccine?

    All vaccines can cause side effects but studies suggest they are generally mild and soon settle. However, these are much less serious than developing flu or complications associated with flu.

    Some people may experience:

    Nasal Flu vaccine side effects:

    • Headache
    • Runny nose


    Injectable Vaccine side effects

    • Swelling
    • Redness
    • Tenderness
    • Development of a small lump at the injection site
    • Feeling or being sick
    • Headaches
    • Tiredness.


    If you are worried about your child you can telephone 111 for non-urgent medical advice or contact your GP practice. In an emergency please telephone 999. Further advice can be found at: www.nhs.uk.

    Call 111 for non-urgent medical advice and 999 in an emergency.

    Serious side-effects are uncommon.

  • Can my child have the injected vaccine that doesn’t contain porcine gelatine?

    Some faith groups accept the use of porcine gelatine in medical products. For further information about porcine gelatine and the nasal flu vaccine, see https://www.nhs.uk/vaccination

    We are offering families that do not wish to have the nasal spray because of the porcine gelatine content an alternative injectable vaccine. This does not contain any porcine gelatine and is now available to have in schools.

  • Can the vaccine cause flu?

    No, the vaccine cannot cause flu because the viruses in it have been weakened to prevent this from happening.

  • Does the nasal vaccine contain gelatine derived from pigs (porcine gelatine)?

    Yes. The nasal vaccine contains a highly processed form of gelatine (porcine gelatine), which is used in a range of many essential medicines. The gelatine helps to keep the vaccine viruses stable so that the vaccine provides the best protection against flu.

  • How does the nasal spray work?

    The nasal spray contains viruses that have been weakened to prevent them from causing flu but will help your child to build up immunity. When your child comes into contact with flu viruses they will be better able to fight off the infection.

    The vaccine is absorbed quickly in the nose so, even if your child sneezes immediately after having had the spray, there’s no need to worry that it hasn’t worked.

  • How will the vaccine be given?

    It is given as a nasal spray into both nostrils.

  • What are the benefits of the vaccine?

    Having the vaccine will help protect your child from catching flu.

    It will also reduce the chance of others in your family, who could be at greater risk from flu, such as grandparents, those with long term health conditions, or siblings that are too young to be vaccinated, getting flu from your child.

  • Why do children need a Flu vaccination every year?

    The flu vaccine changes every winter to match the different type of flu circulating each year. For this reason, we recommend that your child is vaccinated against flu again this year, even if vaccinated last year.

  • Why should my child have the flu vaccine?

    Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children. It can last several days or more; causing fever, stuffy nose, dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints, and extreme tiredness.

    Some children can get a very high fever, sometimes without the usual flu symptoms, and may need to go to hospital for treatment. Serious complications of flu include a painful ear infection, acute bronchitis, and pneumonia.

  • Do I get a copy of my consent form?

    Once you have submitted the consent you will receive an email to let you know we have received it. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don't receive it.

  • How do I raise a technical support request?

    Please email us on support@riviam.zendesk.com. Please don't put any personal details in as this email is not for clinical issues.

  • What if I require the information in a different format?

    Please contact the immunisation team who will be able to assist.

Get to know the South London Children's and Young Peoples Community Immunisation Service (CYPCIS)

Our Children and Young Peoples Community Immunisation Service is delivered by Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust (HRCH). HRCH is a provider of community health services for people registered with GPs in the London borough of Richmond. We have recently disaggregated with Hounslow.

We also deliver community services for Kingston via a contract with Your Healthcare and serve a wider population across South-West and South-East London for a range of specialist services, including immunisations and children’s audiology.

Our teams provide high quality care in people’s homes, online, in schools, and at local clinics across the area.

Our CQC rating is "Good".

Every day our professionals provide high-quality healthcare in people’s homes and convenient local clinics.

We help people to stay well in the community, manage their own health with the right support and avoid stays in hospital.

For more information about these services please go to our website: https://www.hrch.nhs.uk/

Get in touch for more answers

If you still have questions about our service or immunisations, please get in touch with us using the information below

Email us using HRCH.ImmunisationTeamSuttonMailbox@nhs.net or call us on 0203 903 3371

Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust

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