Protecting Your Child with the Flu Vaccine at Bramley Pharmacy

Jaydev Varsani – Clinical Prescribing Pharmacist

Every winter, flu spreads quickly through families, schools, nurseries and workplaces. For most healthy adults, flu is unpleasant but manageable. For young children, though, flu can be far more serious — causing high fevers, chest infections, and in some cases hospitalisation.

That’s why the NHS offers a free flu vaccine to all children aged 2 and 3 years old. At Bramley Pharmacy in Ealing, we’re proud to be part of this programme, making it easier than ever for parents to protect their little ones.

You don’t need to wait for a GP appointment. You can walk in, call us, or arrange a convenient time. The vaccine is given by a qualified healthcare professional and is instantly recorded on your child’s NHS record. It’s a quick, no-frills way to get them protected — right here in your local community pharmacy.

Learn more from the NHS about the child flu vaccine.

Why vaccinate 2- and 3-year-olds?

Children are often called “super spreaders” of flu. At nursery or playgroup, they’re in close contact with lots of other children, touching toys, sharing books, and often forgetting about tissues or hand washing.

When they catch flu, they don’t just get poorly themselves — they also pass it on easily to siblings, parents, grandparents, and vulnerable people in the community.

Vaccinating children aged 2 and 3:

• Protects your child from becoming unwell with flu

• Reduces the chance of spreading flu to your household and community

• Helps ease the pressure on the NHS during the winter months

Nasal spray or injection?

For most children, the nasal spray flu vaccine is the recommended option. It is:

• Painless — no injections, just a quick spray up each nostril

• More effective in children compared with the flu injection

• Fast — it takes just seconds to give, and most children tolerate it very well

• Targeted — the spray works in the lining of the nose, usually the first place flu viruses attack

However, some children cannot have the nasal spray, or parents may prefer to avoid it. This may be due to:

• Medical reasons (e.g. severe asthma or an immune condition)

• Religious or cultural concerns around porcine gelatine

• The nasal spray being temporarily unavailable

In these cases, the injectable flu vaccine is available at Bramley Pharmacy under the same NHS programme. While slightly less effective than the spray in younger children, it still provides strong protection and ensures no child misses out.

Read more in the NHS guidance on flu vaccine options for children.

Why Bramley Pharmacy?

Many parents ask: “Why is the pharmacy offering this now?” The answer is simple: convenience.

At Bramley Pharmacy, 261 Northfield Avenue, Ealing (W5 4UA), we can vaccinate your child quickly and safely without the need for long waiting times.

• Walk in at a time that suits you

• Or call us on 0208 840 4464 to check availability

• All vaccinations are carried out by a trained healthcare professional

• Every vaccination is logged directly onto your child’s NHS record

For busy families, especially those juggling work, school runs, and nursery drop-offs, this makes life much easier.

Are there any side effects?

Most children have no problems at all after the nasal spray or the injection. If side effects do occur, they’re usually very mild and short-lived.

After the nasal spray, you might notice:

• A runny or blocked nose

• A mild fever for a day or two

• A headache or feeling a little under the weather

After the injection, the most common side effects are:

• Soreness, redness or slight swelling at the injection site

• A mild fever or tiredness for a day or two

In rare cases, children may wheeze or develop more noticeable symptoms. If you’re ever worried, you should speak to your GP or call NHS 111 for advice.

See more about possible side effects of the child flu vaccine on the NHS website.

The gelatine question

The nasal spray contains a very small amount of porcine gelatine, which helps to stabilise the vaccine. For most families, this is not an issue. Many religious leaders and community groups, including some within the Muslim and Jewish faiths, have advised that using the vaccine for protection is acceptable.

However, if you prefer to avoid porcine (pig) gelatine, you can choose the injection at Bramley Pharmacy instead.

Protecting your family and community

By vaccinating your child, you’re not just helping them avoid flu this winter — you’re also helping protect the people around them. Young children play a big role in how flu spreads. Stopping flu at the nursery stage means less chance of it reaching grandparents, vulnerable relatives, or the wider community.

It’s a simple, safe step that makes a big difference.

Call us to find out more

At Bramley Pharmacy in Ealing, we’re here to make flu vaccination straightforward for parents and safe for children.

Call us today on 0208 840 4464 to find out more about the nasal spray or injection flu vaccine for your 2- or 3-year-old.