This is despite previous concerns that children are the most susceptible to swine flu and are more likely to spread the virus.
Last week the Government announced that only individuals aged over six months and up to 65 years who have underlying health problems and who are considered to be at risk are to receive the vaccine this autumn, along with frontline health and social care workers and pregnant women.
A BBC report said that children in Bristol, Exeter, Oxford, Southampton and part of London could be the first to trial a vaccine for those aged from six months to 12 years. Participation in the scheme would be voluntary, with consenting parents briefed on the possible risks, reports said.
A proposal for funding the trials has gone to the NHS National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for approval and if it is successful, the trials could begin as early as next month.
A spokesperson for the NHS said, 'NIHR is making a decision and applicants will be notified in writing later.'
Research into the effectiveness of Tamiflu published in the British Medical Journal earlier this month concluded that giving the antiviral drug to children may do more harm than good.
The study found that while antivirals Tamiflu and Relenza shorten the duration of flu in children by up to a day-and-a-half, they had little or no effect on asthma flare-ups and alleviation of symptoms, and Tamiflu was linked to an increased risk of vomiting.
Dr Matthew Thompson from the University of Oxford, who led the study, said, 'While morbidity and mortality in the current pandemic remain low, a more conservative strategy might be considered prudent, given the limited data, side effects such as vomiting, and the potential for developing resistant strains of influenza.'
The researchers carried out a review of four trials on the treatment and prevention of flu in 1,766 children, of whom 55 to 69 per cent had swine flu. They also carried out three trials involving the use of antivirals to limit the spread of flu.
Figures from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency show that over 61 children aged one to four and 85 children aged five to 14 reported suspected side effects from Tamiflu between 1 April and 6 August 2009.
In total, 410 reports of suspected adverse reactions to Tamiflu have been voluntarily submitted by members of the public and healthcare professionals to the MRHA'S Swine Flu Portal since 1 April.
The most common side effects reported were nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and headache, all of which are listed on the Tamiflu packaging.
Further information
www.bmj.com
