Influenza vaccination for children
Vaccination reduces the risk of children falling ill with influenza.
Although the vast majority of children do not become severely ill, every year influenza is a cause of worry, absence from school and work and interruptions to everyday life for many families. On children’s wards in hospitals, we see some children every year who are admitted with severe influenza symptoms or serious bacterial infections as a complication. Children are vaccinated with a nasal spray.
The vaccine for children protects your child against four different types of flu. The risk of your child falling ill with influenza later in winter will therefore be reduced. At the same time, it reduces the risk of your child infecting younger siblings, its grandparents or other people at higher risk of becoming severely ill from influenza.
Young children typically come into contact with many people during the day who are at risk of infection if they spend time with a child who has been infected with influenza. This is why, by vaccinating children aged 2-6 years, we can prevent influenza from spreading among the general population, including vulnerable groups that are at risk of becoming severely ill from influenza.
Note! At the moment, it is not possible to book an appointment for vaccination against influenza for children below 18 years of age who are at higher risk of becoming severely ill from influenza. We are working on a solution.
Children under 18 years of age can be vaccinated against covid-19 following a medical assessment by a paediatrician.
Questions and answers about influenza vaccination for children
1. When can my child be vaccinated?
Once you have received the invitation, you can book an appointment at www.vacciner.dk.
2. How are children vaccinated?
3. Where can my child be vaccinated?
Once you have received the invitation, you can book an appointment for your child at www.vacciner.dk.
4. How many times should my child be vaccinated?
If your child has not previously been vaccinated against influenza, your child will need two vaccinations. The second vaccination must be booked 28 days after the first vaccination.
If your child has previously been vaccinated against influenza, they will only need one influenza vaccination this year.
When you log in to book the appointment, you can see if your child needs one or two vaccinations.
5. What type of vaccine will my child be offered?
The vaccine is given as a nasal spray and protects against four types of influenza.
You can read more about the vaccines here: Quadrivalent influenza vaccine (Fluenz Tetra) (SSI)
6. What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
The most common side effects are mild and do not last long.
Your child may develop a stuffy or runny nose, headache, fever, muscle pain and slight loss of appetite after the vaccination, but will soon feel better again.
The risk of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, is very small and similar to the risk associated with other childhood vaccinations.