MORE than 150,000 parents and carers of two and three years olds in the north west are being urged to book their children in for a flu vaccine.

This is as the NHS ramps up its preparations for winter.

From today, Tuesday, invitations are being sent to parents and carers of two to three year olds after the vaccine offer for pregnant women and school children kicked off earlier this month.

The NHS says it is important that those eligible come forward when they can to top up their protection ahead of winter, as immunity fades over time and viruses change and adapt each year.

The flu vaccination campaign launched on September 1, with appointments running across autumn and winter to provide vital protection to prevent people from developing serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during the busy winter months.

The vaccine is usually given to children aged two to three as a quick and painless spray up the nose - without the need for an injection - unless your child cannot have porcine gelatine in medical products, in which case an injected flu vaccine is available as an alternative.

Flu season usually peaks in December and January, so starting vaccinations in autumn will ensure those most at risk are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors and viruses spread.

Last year, during the peak of winter flu cases, data showed there were 2,478 patients in hospital with flu each day in England - 2.5 times higher than compared to the year previous.

Other eligible groups will soon be able to get their flu and COVID-19 jabs from 3 October, with online bookings opening on 23 September.

Tricia Spedding, regional head of public health for NHS England North West, said: "Flu can make young children seriously ill during the winter months but the flu vaccine will offer your child the best protection from catching and spreading the virus.

“Vaccines are our best defence from winter illnesses and will help reduce the number of people needing hospital care.

“If your child is eligible, please contact their GP practice to book their vaccine as soon as possible.”

In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:

From September 1:

  • pregnant women
  • all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
  • primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
  • secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
  • all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years

From October 3:

  • those aged 65 years and over
  • those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
  • those in long-stay residential care homes
  • carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
  • close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
  • frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by Those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.