A new pilot programme offering flu vaccinations to children aged 2 and 3 has launched in several nurseries across the Thames Valley.

Led by Thames Valley’s School Aged Immunisation Services (SAIS), the pilot is being delivered across 30 nurseries—10 each in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. All participating nurseries are attached to schools, and their sessions are aligned with those provided by the schools they are part of.

This initiative marks the first time the SAIS has delivered flu vaccinations directly in nurseries in the South East region and is the largest trial of its kind, following smaller initiatives delivered via GP practices and Primary Care Networks in Kent and Medway.

This new pilot aims to explore the benefits and practicality of vaccinating toddlers in nurseries, including improved access for families and increased uptake among younger children.

NHS England in South East, together with SAIS, will closely monitor the outcomes of the pilot to inform future decisions about expanding nursery-based flu vaccination delivery.

Olivia Carmichael, NHS South East’s Deputy Director for Immunisations, said:  “By offering the flu nasal spray in nursery settings, we’re helping protect children at an earlier age while making it easier for parents. This pilot is an exciting step forward in how we deliver public health services in early years settings.

“Flu tends to spread first in children, so vaccinating children as early as possible helps to protect them and other vulnerable family members.

She added: “I’d like to thank everyone who has helped bring this pilot to life.”

A participating nursery in Banbury, Oxfordshire, has welcomed the pilot and hopes that it can be rolled out to more nurseries in the future. Charlotte Taylor, Headteacher of Hardwick Primary School, said: “Having the flu vaccine offered in our nursery is a fantastic opportunity for our families. It’s convenient, reassuring, and helps keep our children healthy during the winter months. We’re proud to be part of this pilot and hope it can be extended to more nurseries in the future.”

Florin Munteanu, whose two-and-a-half-year-old child is due to receive their flu vaccination this week, said: “To have the option of having my child vaccinated at his nursery is great as it means that I don’t need to worry about taking him to his GP practice. It’s certainly a helpful option for working parents and my child will be within a familiar setting which will make him more comfortable.”

For the first time ever this autumn, parents and carers of two and three-year-olds can also have their little ones vaccinated at participating pharmacies.

In the South East, there are over 600 pharmacies that have signed up to deliver the nasal spray to approximately 190,000 eligible toddlers alongside GP practices, making it easier than ever for busy parents to protect their little ones from getting seriously ill with flu ahead of winter.

The children’s flu vaccine is usually given as a quick and painless nasal spray in each nostril.

Children who cannot have the nasal spray vaccine will get a different flu vaccine, given as an injection into the upper arm or thigh.

For more information, visit Children’s flu vaccine – NHS