Child flu vaccine ‘proving effective in annual flu programme’

Provisional figures have shown that the nasal spray flu vaccine has been effective in the UK since its introduction.

Public Health England, the Department of Health and NHS England have indicated that the childhood nasal spray vaccine used in the annual flu programme has helped to protect children and their communities from flu.

From October 2016, the vaccine will be extended to healthy children in school year 3 in England, while those aged between two and four, and those in school years 1 and 2 will also continue to be eligible to receive the free vaccine.

The performance of the spray, which is designed to be quick, effective and painless, had been questioned based on reports from US that cast doubt on its efficacy.

However, Public Health England said it has no reason to change current recommendations regarding use of the nasal spray vaccine in the UK based on its own findings.

Dr Richard Pebody, head of flu surveillance for Public Health England, said: "We remain confident that the vaccines used in the Annual Flu Vaccine programme are the most effective that are currently available in protecting both those vaccinated and in reducing transmission of the flu virus in our communities."