PARENTS have been urged to get their children protected against the flu.

Children aged two and three are eligible for the free vaccination, which is given by GPs in the form of a nasal spray.

Health chiefs say there is still time to book an appointment to get the vaccination before Christmas.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, screening and immunisations lead in Bath and North East Somerset, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire said: “With Christmas less than a month away, now is a good time to get your children vaccinated. Children can become very poorly if they catch flu, sometimes even causing serious illness.

“Flu in children also poses a significant impact on the wider family, as parents/guardians may have to take time off work to look after them. The nasal spray vaccine helps children to build up immunity against flu.

“The flu vaccine is different every year, because the flu viruses change every year. It’s crucial to get all children vaccinated ahead of every winter season, even if they had the flu vaccination the previous year.”

In children, flu can cause high fever – with the most serious complications from the virus including acute bronchitis and ear infections.

Children up to school year four are also eligible for a free vaccination through their school.

For more, visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu.