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Cold and Flu
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You’ve probably heard that adults should have a flu shot every year. But are flu shots for kids necessary?
In a word, yes. An annual flu shot can help protect your child from influenza, a contagious illness that can be severe, lasting for a week or more. Getting your child a flu shot also helps keep other family members, especially those at higher risk, from getting sick.
Here’s what you need to know about flu shots for kids.
What Is the Flu?
Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu virus usually spreads through infected droplets when people sneeze, cough, or talk.
Flu symptoms include:
- High fever.
- Chills.
- Cough.
- Runny nose and congestion.
- Sore throat.
- Muscle aches.
- Headaches.
- Fatigue.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
The flu is unpredictable — it can be mild or severe. In most cases, children get better on their own. But sometimes, the flu can lead to other infections or serious complications, such as:
- Pneumonia
- Ear infections
- Sinus infections
- Seizures
- Brain inflammation
- Heart inflammation
The flu is more dangerous for children or adults with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. Complications can be more serious in people over 65, pregnant women, and children under 5. In some cases, the flu can even lead to death.
What Is the Flu Shot?
The flu shot is a yearly vaccine that protects children and adults against flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine.
The flu shot helps prevent your child from getting the flu and helps stop the spread of the flu. Children who get annual flu shots also tend to miss less school and need fewer trips to the doctor.
Remember that the flu shot doesn’t guarantee your child won’t get the flu. However, it makes it much less likely. And if they do get the flu, they should have a much milder version of it.
While the best place to get your child a flu shot is at their doctor’s office, many pharmacies, urgent care centers, and even some supermarkets offer them and could be another option.
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Are There Different Types of Flu Vaccines?
Yes. Doctors and nurses can give the flu vaccine to children through a shot or a nasal spray. (Children under 6 months can’t get either form of the flu vaccine.)
Children over 6 months old can have the seasonal flu shot. They’ll need two shots at least one month apart if it’s their first flu vaccine.
Children over 2 may opt for the nasal spray. For children who are afraid of needles, the nasal spray can be an excellent alternative to a shot.
The nasal spray uses weakened flu viruses, so it’s not a good option for some children. Doctors don’t recommend it for children who:
- Are under age 2.
- Have asthma or a history of wheezing.
- Have a history of allergic reactions to the flu vaccine.
- Have a weakened immune system.
- Recently had antiviral medicine for the flu.
- Take aspirin on a regular basis.
Does My Child Need a Flu Vaccine Every Year?
Yes, doctors recommend getting a flu vaccine every year. That’s because flu viruses change from year to year. Scientists update the vaccine annually to fight the strains they believe will become most prevalent.
The body’s immunity to the flu virus also declines over time. An annual vaccination gives your child the best protection possible against the flu.
When Should I Give My Child the Flu Vaccine?
The question of whether you should give your child the flu vaccine depends on their age and whether they have ever had a flu shot.
Flu season in the U.S. runs from October through May. It takes about two weeks for your child to build immunity after getting the vaccine so the best time for your child to get a flu shot is early fall, ideally by the end of October.
Babies can’t get a flu shot until they are 6 months old.
Children over 6 months and under 9 years old who get the flu shot for the first time need two doses. They should take the shots at least one month apart. (If they’ve had a flu shot before — at any time — they will only need one shot.)
Children over 9 only need one dose of the flu shot, whether or not they’ve ever had one.
Does the Flu Vaccine Have Side Effects?
The flu vaccine can have mild side effects which, if they occur, usually go away within a few days. Ask your doctor how you can best treat any discomfort, like the use of compresses or pain/fever-reducing medications.
After getting a flu shot possible side effects include:
- Body aches.
- A headache.
- A low fever.
- Nausea.
- Redness or soreness at the injection site.
The nasal spray vaccine may produce slightly different side effects. They include:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Wheezing
Doctors have safely given flu shots for more than 50 years. However, in very rare instances, the flu vaccine can cause a serious allergic reaction. Talk to your doctor if your child previously had an allergic reaction to a flu shot.
Can My Child Get the Flu from the Flu Shot?
No, your child can’t get the flu from the flu vaccine.
The flu shot contains only dead flu viruses, so it can’t cause the flu. These inactive viruses aren’t infectious.
The nasal spray contains a weakened virus that can’t give your child the flu.
Remember that it takes about two weeks after getting the vaccine for your child to build immunity. That’s why getting a flu shot early in the season is important before flu viruses start circulating.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
You should call your child’s pediatrician if:
- Your child is in discomfort that is worsening or doesn’t seem to have gotten better within a few days after getting the vaccine.
- Your child is sick, and you’re unsure whether to bring them in for a vaccine.
- You have any questions including about when or whether your child should get a flu shot.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccines for Your Children. Link
Nemours KidsHealth. Your Child’s Vaccines: Influenza (Flu) Vaccine. Link
American Academy of Pediatrics. Which Flu Vaccine Should Children Get? Link
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Recommends Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for Fall/Winter Virus Season. Link
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Influenza (Flu). Link
Immunize.org. Guide for Determining the Number of Doses of Influenza Vaccine to Give to Children Age 6 Months Through 8 Years. Link
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