Helping your child stay strong and healthy this winter

Section 1: Winter bugs

Your child’s body can fight off many winter bugs on its own.

Child sneezing into a tissue with eyes closed

Their body can usually manage coughs, sore throats and earaches without medicine from the doctor.

Mother checking her sick son’s temperature while comforting him on a bed.

But flu is different – it can weaken even the strongest body.

Healthcare worker giving a vaccine injection to a young child’s upper arm.

That’s where the flu vaccine comes in.

Illustration of a vaccine vial protecting against germs, bacteria, and viruses.

A vaccine is medicine that helps your body to fight an infection in the future.

Young child dressed as a superhero standing confidently beside a shield symbol representing protection.

The flu vaccine helps your child’s body stay strong, giving them extra power to stay healthy this winter.

Woman looking thoughtful next to a question mark symbol, suggesting uncertainty or questions about vaccines

Why the flu vaccine matters?

Parent checking a child’s forehead for fever while the child rests under a blanket.

Flu can be serious.

Unlike common colds, flu can make children very unwell.

NHS hospital building with emergency entrance and ambulances outside.

Every year, children are admitted to hospital with a serious flu illness.

Sadly, some children die from flu.

Young child using a shield to block virus particles, symbolising protection from illness.

The free flu vaccine helps protect your child and those around them.

It’s quick and easy.

Healthcare worker administering a nasal vaccine spray to a smiling young girl.

Just a simple nasal spray – no needles!

Graphic showing vaccine availability at GP surgeries and schools.

It’s often given at school or your GP surgery, making it easy for busy families.

Calendar icons displaying the years 2025, 2026, and 2027.

The flu vaccine is safe, doesn’t cause flu, and is recommended every year.

Map of the United Kingdom with regions highlighted in different shades of blue.

It has been given to millions of children across the UK.

Confused man scratching his head while looking uncertain against a yellow background.

Who can get the free flu vaccine?

Young child crawling through a soft play tunnel in an indoor play area.

For children aged 2 to 3 years

(Born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2023)

Graphic showing vaccine services available at GP surgeries and pharmacies.

Available at your GP surgery or Pharmacy

Calendars showing the months of September, October, and November.

You will get an invitation in autumn or early winter.

Schoolchildren arriving at school with backpacks and a bicycle outside the entrance.

School-aged children

(Reception to Year 11)

Graphic showing a time period from September to December on calendars.

Given in school during the autumn term.

Missed it? Home-schooled?

Speak to the Essex NHS by calling 0300 555 5055 – select option 6.

Reception worker at a GP surgery sitting at a computer desk.

4-year-olds not yet at school can get it via their GP.

Young boy sitting on a sofa at home using an accessible communication device.

Children with long-term health conditions

(6 months to 17 years)

Woman pointing at a numbered checklist or ranked list on a board.

For example:

Illustration of lungs held above open hands, representing respiratory or lung health.

Asthma – needing steroid inhaler/tablets

Young child receiving an ultrasound scan from a healthcare professional.

Cystic fibrosis, heart or kidney disease

Healthcare worker using a smartphone app connected to a wearable medical sensor on a patient’s arm.

Diabetes, weakened immune system, or sickle cell

Smiling child in a supportive seating chair playing with colourful toys.

Brain or nerve conditions – like cerebral palsy

Young girl wearing glasses writing notes in a notebook.

Learning disability

Man looking upward thoughtfully with hand on chin, expressing uncertainty or consideration.

Check with your child’s GP if you are not sure if your child has a long-term health condition.

Pregnant?

Sample text. Add the custom text here.

Close-up of a healthcare worker holding a vial labelled RSV vaccine.

Protect your baby before they are born.

From 28 weeks, you can get the RSV vaccine to help protect your baby.

Hands holding a paper illustration of lungs with virus symbols, representing RSV infection.

RSV is an illness that makes you cough and have a runny nose. It can also make breathing difficult.

Simple illustration of a baby in the womb connected by an umbilical cord.

It can cause serious illness in your newborn baby.

Section 2: Protecting your whole family

Hands holding a healthcare icon featuring a heart with a medical cross.

When your child has had the flu vaccine, you are not just protecting them.

You are also helping to protect:

Smiling baby sitting on an adult’s lap while interacting playfully with their hands.

Babies who are too young to be given a vaccine

Grandparents posing outdoors with two smiling children

Grandparents who can’t easily fight off infection

Adult and teenager sitting together on a sofa, sharing a supportive and affectionate moment.

Parents who have diabetes or heart disease or other illnesses

Illustration of virus particles spreading among groups of people, representing transmission of infection.

All of your community by stopping flu spreading.

Parent kneeling to help a young child adjust their school uniform and backpack before school.

Children often bring infections home from school and nursery.

Parent and child smiling together while eating a meal at a dining table.

Your child’s flu vaccine helps protect the whole family.

Some questions answered

Young girl holding her head and looking unwell, suggesting symptoms such as headache, fever, or fatigue.

Will the vaccine weaken my child’s body?

Illustration of a protective shield blocking virus particles, representing immunity or protection against infection.

No – the vaccine trains their body to be stronger against flu.

And – still allows it to fight off other winter bugs by itself.

Smiling boy wearing headphones while standing with a bicycle, alongside a question mark symbol suggesting uncertainty or awareness.

Is it really necessary?

Yes – Flu spreads quickly in schools and nurseries and can make children very unwell.

Teacher leading a classroom lesson while students raise their hands to answer questions.

Thousands of parents across Essex choose to protect their children with the flu vaccine every year.

Illustrated map of Essex marked with coloured location pins, representing different areas or services across the region.

What about side effects?

Notebook with the words “Side Effects” written on it, alongside pills and medical equipment, representing possible medication or vaccine side effects.

What about side effects?

Healthcare worker administering a nasal treatment or vaccine to a young girl, with a protection shield icon representing safety and immunity.

The nasal spray vaccine is very safe.

Young boy resting his head on his hand and looking tired or unwell.

Some children may get a runny nose or feel a bit tired, but serious side effects are extremely rare.

Woman smiling and interacting with a young girl sitting in a wheelchair, suggesting support, care, and inclusion.

My child has a long-term condition – is it safe?

Split image showing a child using a breathing device on one side and a blood glucose test on the other, representing management of chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

Children with conditions like asthma or diabetes are more likely to get the flu.

Smiling girl holding a sign labelled “IMPORTANT,” highlighting key information or an important message.

This means it is more important that they have the vaccine.

Two NHS workers wearing identification badges and standing against a blue background.

Speak to your consultant or practice nurse if you are worried.

Young man wearing glasses, holding a notebook and pen while looking thoughtful, suggesting planning, reflection, or decision-making.

Is there an alternative to the nasal spray?

Close-up of yellow transparent supplement or vitamin capsules on a white surface.

The nasal spray vaccine contains a small amount of gelatine from pigs.

Healthcare professional preparing to give a vaccination or injection to a young girl.

A flu vaccine injection is available that does not contain gelatine.

Woman holding up her hand in a “stop” gesture beside a red X symbol, indicating refusal, warning, or prevention.

If you do not want your child to have the nasal spray vaccine:

Nurse in a purple uniform standing with an NHS identification badge against a plain background.

speak to the person who is giving the vaccine to your child

Close-up of gloved hands preparing a syringe and vaccine vial for injection.

ask for the flu vaccine injection on the school consent form.

Smiling toddler with curly hair sitting indoors, appearing happy, healthy, and playful.

Children who cannot have the nasal spray vaccine and children under the age of 2 years will also have a flu vaccine injection.

Section 3: Common winter illnesses

Parent checking a young girl’s temperature while she rests in bed holding a teddy bear, suggesting illness or fever monitoring.

Your child’s body is brilliant at fighting off common winter illnesses.

Most children get better on their own with rest, liquids and time.

Young girl coughing while wrapped in a scarf, with a “3 weeks” calendar icon indicating a persistent cough lasting several weeks.

Coughs

Coughs are common in winter. They can last up to 3 weeks.

Mother comforting a sick child wrapped in a blanket while checking a thermometer, suggesting cold or flu symptoms.

They can sound dry, chesty or wheezy.

What helps…

Close-up of a spoonful of honey above a cup of hot tea with lemon, representing a home remedy for sore throat or cough relief.

warm drinks and honey (over age 1)

Young boy drinking a glass of water, representing hydration and healthy fluid intake during illness or recovery.

giving your child enough to drink

Hand opening a window, suggesting letting fresh air into a room for ventilation.

opening windows briefly to get some fresh air.

When to ask for help…

Young girl clutching her chest with a worried expression, suggesting chest pain or difficulty breathing.

if breathing is noisy or your child is finding it difficult to breathe.

Digital thermometer showing a high temperature beside a newborn baby, indicating fever in an infant.

high temperature (fever) of 38C or more, lasting more than 5 days.

Child coughing with a red “X” symbol, suggesting a warning sign or symptom that should not be ignored.

cough getting worse rather than improving.

Child touching the neck/throat area, indicating a sore throat or swollen glands.

Sore throats

A sore throat usually gets better on its own.
Most clear up within 7 days.

Young child lying in bed with a thermometer and cool cloth on the head, representing fever management and rest during illness.

Sore throats may come with a runny nose, cough or mild fever.

What helps…

Boxes of paracetamol and bottles of ibuprofen on a pharmacy shelf, representing common medicines used to reduce fever and relieve pain in children.

paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain

Young girl drinking a glass of water, showing the importance of staying hydrated during illness.

cool drinks and soft foods

Father comforting and checking on a child resting in bed, suggesting reassurance and care while recovering from illness.

plenty of rest.

When to ask for help…

Mother gently checking a child’s neck/throat, indicating examination for swollen glands or sore throat symptoms.

if your child can’t swallow, is drooling or has a stiff neck

Child with a thermometer and a close-up of a red skin rash, suggesting fever accompanied by a rash.

if your child has a very high fever or rash.

Earache

Many earaches clear up without needing medicine.

Young girl lying in bed holding her ear and crying, showing severe ear pain or discomfort from an ear infection.

Earaches often follow a cold.

They can cause pain or difficulty sleeping.

Calendar icon displaying “8 days,” indicating symptoms or treatment lasting for more than a week.

They usually go away after about 8 days.

What helps…

Paracetamol and ibuprofen medicines displayed side by side, representing pain relief and fever-reducing treatments commonly used for children.

paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain

Young girl holding her ear with a concerned expression, suggesting earache or hearing discomfort.

a warm compress against the ear.

When to ask for help…

Child with a thermometer and another child holding their ear in pain, illustrating fever and earache symptoms occurring together.

high fever or a weeping ear

Young girl touching her ear with a worried expression, indicating persistent ear pain or possible ear infection symptoms.

earache lasting more than 3 days (?)

Young girl cupping her ear with her hand, suggesting hearing difficulty or reduced hearing after an ear infection.

repeated ear infections or you are worried about your child’s hearing.

Small child having their nose wiped with a tissue, showing cold or upper respiratory infection symptoms linked to ear infections.

Colds and runny noses

Colds and runny noses include sneezing, mild cough and a low fever.

Calendar icon displaying “5 to 10 days,” indicating the typical recovery period for symptoms or fluid in the ear.

They can last for between 5 and 10 days.

What helps…

Young girl drinking a glass of water, representing the importance of staying hydrated during illness or recovery.

water and other drinks and rest

Child blowing their nose with a tissue, illustrating cold or congestion symptoms that may affect the ears.

gentle nose-wiping

Baby receiving nasal saline drops, showing a method used to relieve nasal congestion in infants.

Nose drops can help babies breathe more easily.

When to ask for help

Person holding their chest with a lungs icon beside them, indicating breathing difficulties or chest-related symptoms that may need medical attention.

if your child has problems breathing

Urine colour hydration chart ranging from clear to dark brown, demonstrating signs of hydration and dehydration levels.

signs of not having enough liquid, like feeling thirsty, dark yellow, strong smelling pee, or peeing less often than usual

Young girl shielding her eyes and appearing unwell, suggesting tiredness, sensitivity, or feeling sick during illness.

if your child is very drowsy.

Child having their temperature checked with a

Fevers

A fever is a sign the body is fighting infection. It doesn’t always mean something serious.

Fevers can cause a temperature over 38°C and it may come and go over a few days.

What helps…

Young girl drinking water at a kitchen table, emphasizing fluid intake and hydration during recovery.

water and other drinks and rest

paracetamol or ibuprofen if your child seems uncomfortable.

When to ask for help…

Digital thermometer showing a temperature of 38.2°C beside a blurred baby, indicating fever in an infant.

if your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature over 38°C

Mother checking on a sick child while speaking on the phone, with a “5 days” calendar icon suggesting symptoms lasting several days or advice to seek help if illness continues.

if the fever lasts more than 5 days

Close-up of a red skin rash next to an icon of a head with pain symbols, representing rash and headache symptoms that may need medical attention.

seizures, rash, or if your child seems seriously unwell.

Woman pointing downward with both hands, commonly used to direct attention to information, links, or guidance below.

For more information about childhood illnesses and knowing when to ask for urgent medical help visit:

Laptop displaying the NHS Essex “Start well” webpage about supporting babies, children, and young people’s health and wellbeing.

Start well page on the NHS Essex website

Section 4: What parents say…

As a mum of two, I’ve seen how quickly winter bugs can knock
kids off their feet – especially my youngest, who has asthma
and has struggled with his breathing since birth.
When he gets a cold, it’s not just a sniffle – it’s a real worry.
So when the school offered the flu nasal spray, it was a
no-brainer to protect him, and his older brother too.
I’ll be honest, I thought it might be an injection at first, and
I was worried it would upset them. But the leaflet from the
school’s immunisation team explained everything clearly. It
reassured me, and the boys were thrilled with their stickers
afterwards!

Getting them vaccinated felt like the right thing to do. It’s not
just about protecting them, it’s about keeping life on track.
When your child is ill, everything stops: sleep, work, school,
peace of mind. For the sake of a quick ‘spritz’ up the nose,
you can save your family a lot of stress…we’ll definitely be
doing it again this year.”
Parent of two boys aged 5 and 7:

I’m a grandmother to seven wonderful grandchildren.
I’ve always encouraged my children to get them vaccinated.
When I was younger, illnesses like measles could kill.
I think people have forgotten how dangerous childhood
diseases can be…my daughter was a bit unsure at first,
especially when her children were very young, but she
decided to go ahead. My advice? Ask questions, get advice,
and understand why it matters.
These vaccines are here to keep your children well.”
Gill from Billericay