All children in the UK will be given the flu vaccine from 2014 onwards, saving a possible 2,000 lives a year.
Under the plans, children between the ages of two and 17 will be given the vaccine through a nasal spray either at their GP practice or in school.
The recommendation was made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises the government on vaccination policy, and will make the UK the first nation to offer the flu vaccine to healthy children for free.
As well as lowering the number of flu-related deaths, it is thought the step will lead to 11,000 fewer hospital admissions each year as while youngsters are not likely to suffer complications from the flu, they can pass the illness on to more vulnerable family members.
Dr Hilary Cass, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said: ‘By offering the flu vaccine to all children, we should be able to significantly reduce the number of serious cases of flu – both amongst children and other members of their family.
‘Flu is highly contagious and even though a healthy child is unlikely to develop complications, they could well pass on the virus to other members of the family, such as siblings or grandparents, who are more vulnerable.’
She added that while some parents are likely to have concerns about the vaccination programme they can be reassured that the pros and cons have been considered carefully and it is believed the decision is in children’s best interests.