The current flu vaccination programme will be extended to all four-year-olds from September, Public Health England (PHE) has announced.
The national childhood flu vaccination programme, which began to be rolled out last year, was previously aimed at just two- and three-year olds.
Several pilot programmes will be launched across England to 11-13 year olds in school years 7 and 8, PHE has also revealed.
The live-attenuated flu vaccine, Fluenz – will be used again for the four-year-old cohort.
Public Health England’s Vaccine Update reads: “Next winter sees the addition of two more age groups of children to those introduced in winter 2013/14. These are planned for eligible four-year-olds, and in several pilot programmes around the country to 11- to 13-year-olds in school years 7 and 8.
“GP practices should note that flu vaccine will be provided centrally for all children in the extended programme, and those of all ages in clinical risk groups, up to and including those aged 17 years.”
