Parents and carers across Essex are being urged to help protect their children against flu and other serious winter illnesses after 190 children and young people were admitted to hospital last winter.
Of the 190, 98% were taken in as emergency admissions. To reduce the risk of serious illness, parents and carers are being encouraged to take eligible children to have their flu vaccination as part of this year’s Super Bodies campaign.
Super Bodies supports families from pregnancy and through childhood, with clear advice about vaccination, common winter illnesses and when to seek help.
The campaign explains the simple steps families can take to protect children’s health, including flu vaccination for children. Pregnant women can also protect their baby before birth by having flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations.
Most people can recover from flu at home, but in vulnerable groups it can cause serious illness and lead to emergency hospital treatment.
Tom from Southend is a dad-of-two, including to a three-year-old son. He said: “I used to think flu was just a bad cold – until I had it myself and ended up in hospital. That experience changed everything. After that, I didn’t have any concerns about vaccinating my son and I felt great knowing he was protected.
“I believe it’s important to protect not just my child, but everyone else’s children and the wider community. To any parent who is unsure I’d say: Please check the latest evidence – it really helps give peace of mind. Getting the vaccine is very convenient and I’ll definitely be vaccinating him again this year. It’s quick and it costs nothing.”
Despite the benefits of vaccination, uptake in Greater Essex remained below the England average last winter. Flu vaccination uptake figures for 2025/26 show that only 40.9% of eligible two- and three-year-olds had their flu vaccination, compared with 44.2% across England.
Uptake among pregnant women was even lower. In Greater Essex, 24.8% had their flu vaccination, compared with 38.4% across England.
As parents and carers, we all want to keep our children safe and well. The Super Bodies campaign helps families understand how vaccination can protect children from serious illness. For most children, the flu vaccine is given as a quick nasal spray, so they will not need an injection.
Natalie Hammond, Interim Executive Chief Nursing Officer at NHS Essex
Vaccination during pregnancy can also help protect babies. Having the flu and RSV vaccines helps you pass the benefits on to your baby before birth, giving them extra protection during their first months of life.
We want families across Essex to feel informed and ready for winter so if your child is eligible for the flu vaccine, or you are pregnant, please take up the vaccinations offered to you. A small step now can help protect your family this winter.
Flu vaccination became available from 1 September for pregnant women, children aged two or three, school-aged children from Reception to Year 11, and children aged from six months to under 18 who are in a clinical risk group.
Many other eligible adults can have their flu vaccination from 1 October.
Most school-aged children will be offered their flu vaccination at school. Parents and carers will need to complete the consent form when they receive it.
Children aged two or three can have the vaccine through their GP practice from this month or at a participating pharmacy from 1 October. From 1 October, participating pharmacies can also vaccinate eligible children aged between two and under 18 who are in a clinical risk group.
Visit the Super Bodies hub