It has been reported that from 2014, all the children below the age of 17 would be vaccinated against flu. The initiative has been taken with the aim of saving 2,000 lives every year. Under the program, children would be vaccinated through nasal spray.

The recommendation of launching the scheme was made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. The Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley has warmly welcomed the recommendations and soon the recommendation would be given a shape of policy.

Pregnant women, elders and children are eligible for getting flu vaccination. As per the coming changes in the policies, every child below the age of 17 would be eligible for the vaccination. By making the vaccination available to the children, the UK would become the first country to provide free of cost vaccination to the children.

It is hoped that the scheme would help in reducing the number of hospitalizations and would also reduce the casualties. While acknowledging the advice of the authorities, Professor Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer said, "We accept the advice of our expert committee that rolling out a wider programme could further protect children, with even a modest takeup helping to protect our most vulnerable".