Flu kills thousands of people every year. It is an unpredictable virus and it can be a serious illness in young children that leads to complications like bronchitis and pneumonia, and painful ear infections.

We also understand the role young children can play in the transmission of the flu virus.

Children can pass flu on to others in their family and loved ones, as well as the wider community, many of whom may be at higher risk from the complications of flu, such as the elderly or those living with long-term health conditions.

The vaccine is the best protection against flu. It is vital that parents ensure their children get vaccinated for free from the NHS – to protect their child, and to stop the spread of the virus.

For children, the nasal spray flu vaccine is free on the NHS for:

• Children aged two or three

• All primary school children (reception to Year 6)

• All Year 7 children in secondary school

• Children aged two to 17 years with long-term health conditions.

In this unprecedented year, it is vital that we do all we can to protect our families and those most vulnerable in our communities from the virus this winter.

I encourage parents living in Barking and Dagenham to get their children vaccinated against the flu, either through the vaccination programme rolled out across our schools or by speaking to their GP practice.