What is it?
Influenza (flu) is a viral respiratory disease that causes high fever, cough, headache, and muscle aches. All flu viruses can lead to pneumonia and heart problems. It spreads easily by coughing and sneezing. Parents and caregivers should get vaccinated to prevent spreading the flu to babies. It can be very serious, especially for babies under six months who are too young to get the flu vaccine. They often must be hospitalized. Flu is even more serious for children with chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes.
What can I do?
The best way to protect your children older than six months is to have them vaccinated each flu season. Children nine and older should get one dose each flu season. Children six months through eight years getting flu vaccine for the first time should get two doses, at least one month apart, and then one dose every year after that.
Is it safe?
Yes, the flu vaccine is safe. There are no known serious vaccine reactions. Severe (anaphylactic) egg allergy is a contraindication for both types of flu vaccine.
|
Age > Vaccine |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
15 months |
18 months |
19-23 months |
2-3 years |
4-6 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Influenza (flu) | Influenza (Yearly)* | |||||||
| * - Your child should get the vaccine at this age or age range. If he misses a dose, get it as soon as possible. |