Is it ok for my child to have a Flu jab at the same time as (or soon before or after) other vaccines?

Timing issues mainly apply to live vaccines like MMR, chickenpox (varicella) and BCG, which generally need to be given either on the same day as each other, or with at least a 4-week gap between them, in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. These considerations don’t apply to injected vaccines like the flu jab, which are “dead” inactivated vaccines.

However, although they could theoretically apply to the use of FLUENZ, the nasal spray vaccine which is currently being offered to children, studies have shown that the impact of co-administration with MMR and varicella vaccines was not significant.

Do tell the doctor or nurse about any vaccines that are likely to be due, or have recently been given, so that we can give you the best advice about timing.