The scope of the winter influenza vaccination programme which is planned for this year arises on foot of a report prepared by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. That report recommended the use of a Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) delivered via nasal drops for children aged from 2 years. Use of this vaccine has a number of advantages over the intramuscular quadrivalent vaccine otherwise used, including ease of delivery and potentially increased effectiveness. The LAIV is licensed for use in children aged from 2 years.
The planned expansion will also allow children aged from 6 months access to vaccination without charges when those children are in one of the identified at-risk groups.