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Children’s flu 2026/27 · Nasal spray · No needle

The children’s flu vaccine: a quick, painless nasal spray.

No injection: just a quick squirt in each nostril, over in seconds. Free on the NHS for eligible children, and available at all four MediPill branches. Protecting your child also protects grandparents, baby siblings and classmates all winter.

  • Needle-free nasal spray (LAIV)
  • Free on the NHS for eligible children
  • Ages 2–3 vaccinated here at the pharmacy
  • School catch-up with us from 1 December

On the NHS site, search with your branch postcode: OX2 9TJ (Botley) · OX3 9JA (Headington) · OX2 7HQ (Summertown) · OX15 0SW (Deddington)

How it works

Seconds, not tears.

A squirt in each nostril

No needle, no plaster. Most children barely notice: it’s over before they’ve finished asking about it.

Why children?

Children catch and spread flu more than anyone. Vaccinating them protects the whole household, including grandparents and newborns.

A winter of cover

Protection builds within two weeks and lasts through the December–February peak.

Who can have it

Free on the NHS for:

  • Children aged 2–3 (on 31 August 2026): vaccinated here at the pharmacy from 1 October
  • Clinically at-risk children aged 2–17: from 1 October
  • All school-aged children (Reception–Year 11): usually at school; missed it? Catch up with us from 1 December

Not in an NHS group? Children are welcome for the private jab (£25) too: see the flu vaccine page.

Good to know

Parents usually ask:

No: it’s a nasal spray, not an injection. A quick squirt in each nostril and it’s done.

A runny or blocked nose for a day or two is the most common. Serious reactions are rare.

Bring them to any MediPill branch from 1 December and we’ll catch them up: book on the NHS site or just call the branch.

Yes: children outside the NHS groups can have the £25 private vaccine at any branch from 1 October.

Ready to book for your child?

NHS bookings from 1 October (school catch-up from 1 December) – or call your branch and we’ll sort it.

Four Oxford branches

Available at every branch.

All branches GPhC-registered.

Talk to us

Pick the closest branch.

Email or phone - we usually reply within the hour.

Email branch Call branch

Or walk in any time - every branch has a pharmacist on duty.