19 Oct 2026Official noticeVaccination
Severe child influenza case recorded; vaccination urged
The Centre for Health Protection recorded a severe case of influenza A with shock in a six-year-old girl who had not yet received this season's vaccine; she remains in critical condition. Flu activity has stayed high since the season began in late June, and the public are urged to get the 2026/27 seasonal influenza vaccine; the school outreach programme is expected to finish by mid-December.
KEY POINTS
- 24 severe paediatric influenza cases have been recorded this season
- The 2026/27 seasonal influenza vaccination programme started on 17 September
- The school outreach programme is expected to finish by mid-December
- The school outreach programme now uses the eHealth electronic consent form
- Influenza activity remains high; high-risk groups are urged to get vaccinated
KEY DATES
- 2026-09-17
- Start of the 2026/27 seasonal influenza vaccination programme
Our summary, in our own words. Read the full text in the government press release.