Fact: The injected flu vaccine contains an inactivated virus that cannot give you flu. If you feel achy or slightly feverish, it is a normal reaction of the immune system to the vaccine and generally lasts only a day or two.

Fact: The children’s nasal spray may cause a runny or blocked nose, headache, tiredness and some loss of appetite. But these symptoms usually end within 2 days and are far less serious than the effects of contracting flu.

Fact: Flu can be serious in children – leading to high fever, painful ear infections or acute bronchitis. By giving your child the free flu vaccine or nasal spray, it helps not only to protect them from serious illness but family and friends too.

Fact: The flu vaccine does not contain any pork ingredient or gelatine. Only the flu nasal spray for children includes porcine gelatine. The British Fatwa Council has permitted the use of the nasal spray in children. You can also ask your GP for an alternative flu vaccine for your child if you do not want them to have the nasal spray.

Fact: A flu vaccine will protect you and your baby. Pregnancy changes how your body responds to infections such as flu. It is safe to have the flu vaccine at any stage in pregnancy, from the first few weeks up until you go into labour.

Fact: You need to have a flu jab every year, as the viruses that cause flu can change every year. This is why new vaccines are created every year to protect against these new strains. The vaccine you’re given usually provides protection for most strain of flu for that winter season only.

Fact: Whilst colds and flus share some similar symptoms (blocked nose, sore throat and high temperature), flu is much worse than a cold. Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include a sudden high temperature, aches, exhaustion, diarrhoea or tummy pain, a sore throat, a headache and difficulty sleeping.

Some useful information on telling the difference between cold and flu: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/

Fact: Only 1 in a million people get serious side effects from the flu jab. All adult vaccines are given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm. Most side effects are mild and only last for a couple of days, such as:

• having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around a day or two following the vaccination
• feeling tired
• headache
• general aches, or mild flu-like symptoms

To help reduce any discomfort, make sure you get rest, continue to move your arm and if you need to, take a painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it.

Fact: We know how worrying it is when your child is unwell, especially in winter. Most of the time, it is best to care for your child with flu at home, managed with health advice.

Last winter, we saw a sharp rise in children in north London visiting A&E with flu symptoms. Many of them didn’t need emergency treatment. And after a long, uncomfortable wait, parents were told to manage their child’s symptoms at home, with medicines available from their local pharmacy.

If your child catches flu, make sure they get lots of rest, keep warm and drink water to stay hydrated (pee should be light yellow or clear). Give paracetamol or ibuprofen to your child if they’re distressed or uncomfortable. Check the packaging to make sure the medicine is suitable for your child – ask a pharmacist or GP if unsure.

Many GP practices also offer evening and weekend appointments if you need medical advice – or you can always call NHS 111.

The flu vaccine or nasal spray is a free, easy way to protect your child from becoming seriously unwell.

And if they do get flu, knowing where to turn first can mean faster support and avoiding long waits in a busy A&E.