They are reminded that children are almost three times more likely to be ill with flu than adults.
Over 550,000 children aged between 2-11 years old are being offered the nasal spray flu vaccination this year.
It has an excellent safety record and was given to over a quarter of a million children in Scotland last year.
For the first time, all pre-school children are being offered it through their GP, while primary school children will again be vaccinated at school.
The children’s vaccine is a simple nasal spray that’s quick to administer, easily absorbed, and pain free and will offer protection for a year.
Health experts say even if your child was immunised against flu last year, it is important to get the vaccine again this year as viruses can change.
Senior Medical Officer for the Scottish Government, Dr Nicola Steedman, said: “The best defence against flu is the vaccine so I encourage all parents to ensure their child is covered.
“Flu can hit children hard and even healthy children can become seriously ill, especially those under five years, as they are less likely to have built up any immunity to the flu virus.”
Find out more about the flu vaccine for children at immunisationscotland.org.uk/childflu.
