Publish date: 16 December 2025
This winter, Greater Manchester is facing a severe flu wave, with hospitals reporting rising admissions and all services noting increased flu activity. National data shows flu-related admissions are continuing to increase nationwide.
That’s why NHS Greater Manchester is making it even easier for parents and carers to get children protected against flu. The NHS is running free catch-up walk-in flu vaccination clinics for 2-3 year olds and school-aged children taking place in areas of the lowest uptake.
From Friday 12 to Thursday 30 December, any children aged 2-3 years old who have not been vaccinated by their GP, or in reception up to and including year 11 who have missed the vaccinations at their school or who are home-schooled, will be able to get their free flu vaccine at one of the walk-in catch-up flu vaccination clinics. These will be taking place in Oldham, Tameside, Manchester, Salford, Bolton and Bury – places where uptake has been particularly low.
Most children will be able to have a quick and painless flu nasal spray vaccine, but an injection is available for those who can’t have a live vaccine or don’t want it due to cultural reasons. There is no need to book, but if you have any questions you can call Intrahealth, an NHS partner for vaccines on 03333 583 397 or email contactimms@intrahealth.co.uk.
The flu viruses change every year, so it’s important that children get their flu vaccination each year to keep them protected and to help reduce it spreading to others.
Dr Helen Wall, Clinical Director for Population Health at NHS Greater Manchester said:
“Every year thousands of people get really sick and end up in hospital from flu – and this year we are seeing it more than ever. That’s why we are holding free walk-in catch-up flu vaccination clinics for any 2-3 year olds who’ve not been vaccinated by their GP and school-aged children who have missed the vaccinations happening at their school or who are home-schooled – to ensure as many children as possible are protected.
“The vaccine is still our best defence against flu, but the virus changes every year, which is why it is so important to get the new vaccine each year to stay protected. For most children this means getting a quick and painless spray vaccine rather than an injection.
“So, if your children have missed getting the flu vaccine at their school this year or are home-schooled, I urge you to please book them an appointment at one of the flu clinics taking place in December to ensure they have the protection they need to fight this virus and to keep those around them safe.
“With flu and other winter illnesses on the rise alongside planned industrial action, keeping up to date with winter vaccines will help you and your children stay well during the festive period.”
In addition to vaccinating your children, it is good to know the signs of flu. That way, if you or someone around you gets sick you can take care of yourself, stay away from others to stop it spreading, and know when to get help if needed. Symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- A sudden high temperature (38°C or above)
- An aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A dry cough
- A sore throat
- A headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick
- Symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
The free walk-in catch-up flu clinics are only for 2-3 year olds who’ve not been vaccinated by their GP, and school-aged children who have missed getting the flu vaccine when it came to their school or who are home-schooled. Those where the flu vaccination clinic is yet to come to their school should wait for that.
To find out more about the Christmas children walk-in catch-up flu vaccination clinics in Greater Manchester visit: Children's catch-up flu vaccination clinics | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership.
The clinics are walk-in only so there is no need to book an appointment, but if you do have any questions please call Intrahealth on 03333 583 397 or email contactimms@intrahealth.co.uk.
If you have a child aged two or three, you can also make an appointment with participating pharmacies across Greater Manchester who offer the flu vaccine. You can find a full list of participating pharmacies here: Pharmacies offering flu vaccination for two to three year olds | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership
The full list of who people eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
- those aged 65 years and over
- people with certain long-term health conditions
- residents in a care home
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme, including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
You can find out more about the flu vaccine and who is eligible on the NHS Greater Manchester website.
