Cases of flu are on the increase in Wales
19:19, 08 Dec 2025Updated 19:19, 08 Dec 2025
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Parents are being encouraged to ensure their children receive the flu vaccine if they haven’t had it at school because flu in Wales is on the rise.
More than 800,000 individuals in Wales have already been vaccinated, but with flu activity escalating over the past week and more cases anticipated in the lead up to Christmas, the call for vaccination is urgent, according to the Welsh Government. A new strain of flu is currently circulating, with a particularly high incidence of confirmed cases among children under five years old.
The flu vaccine for children and teenagers aged between two and 16 is administered via a nasal spray rather than an injection. This year’s vaccine has proven highly effective, reducing hospital visits among children. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
Wales’ Chief Medical Officer, Professor Isabel Oliver, said: “Vaccination saves lives, protects people and communities, and strengthens the resilience of the NHS.
“It is really important that everyone who is eligible, takes up their offer of a free flu vaccine this winter.
“We are seeing a new flu strain circulating and an earlier start to the flu season but there is still time to get the vaccine so please act now, to get your child protected in time for Christmas.”
Dr Chris Johnson, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, said: “The flu nasal spray vaccine is safe, painless, and helps protect thousands of school-aged children in Wales every year.
“Flu can be very serious for children, but one quick spray helps keep them healthy this winter and reduces the risk of serious illness.
“Giving consent for your child to have the nasal spray vaccine is a normal part of keeping them well during the school year. It also helps protect the whole family by stopping the spread to siblings, grandparents and relatives who are more at risk.
“Nearly a million people in Wales get vaccinated against flu every year, so please make sure your child is protected too by giving consent for them to have the flu nasal spray vaccine.”
The flu vaccine is provided free of charge for all children from the age of two (born before September 2023) up to school year 11, as well as all children in a clinical risk group aged over six months old.
Details on how to secure a free vaccination for a child who was absent from school when the vaccine team visited or whose consent form wasn’t completed in time can be found on the Public Health Wales website. Typically, this will be arranged through your GP or health board.
Numerous adults also qualify for a free vaccine, including everyone aged 65 years and older, individuals with long-term health conditions, health and social care workers, pregnant women, and carers.
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