THE annual flu vaccine campaign was launched this week with children up to eight now included.

The Beat Flu campaign, led by Public Health Wales, encourages those who need it most to get protection each year against influenza, a potentially dangerous disease.

Included in the eligible groups are pregnant women, people with certain chronic long term health conditions, and everyone aged 65 and over.

Children aged between two to eight years are also eligible as the vaccine programme for children is being extended again this year.

The vaccine for adults is a small injection, but for children it is a simple nasal spray.

Children aged between two and three years can receive the nasal vaccine at their GP surgery, while those in reception class and school years 1, 2, 3 and 4 can get it at school.

The influenza viruses that circulate and cause illness each winter change and therefore each year the flu vaccine is changed to try and match the circulating strains, in order to give best protection.

While most NHS flu vaccines are given in GP surgeries, vaccination is also available for adults in many community pharmacies across Wales.

Carers, volunteers providing planned emergency first aid and Community First Responders are also entitled to the vaccine.

It’s also recommended that frontline health and social care workers have the vaccine to protect themselves and those they care for.

Find out more by visiting beatflu.org or curwchffliw.org or finding Beat Flu or Curwch Ffliw on Twitter and Facebook.