Does Your Child Need a Flu Shot?

A lot of individuals ask if their children are generally healthy, and do they really need a flu shot, so the short answer is yes, they do! Not vaccinating your child could put him at real risk. It is estimated that more than 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized every flu season. This is often because children are more likely to have flu and complications than the other group. This is often the case especially in the classroom or childcare where the flu vaccine is very important to protect your child and the other children they have been in contact with.

Does Your Child Need a Flu Shot?

Children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years should be vaccinated annually.

Even parents and everyone in close contact with children should be vaccinated, including all school teachers, working children, and people in public service. Often this is especially important for people caring for babies under 6 months old.

Children between the ages of 6 months and 9 years who get the flu vaccine for the first time will receive two doses, one month apart. The basic doses introduce the virus into the child's system, so the second dose gives him the immunity he enjoys.

Children at highest risk who would like to be vaccinated include any children with subsequent chronic health conditions:

Asthma or any other type of lung disease or allergy.

Any condition that affects their breathing

Those who have a weak system

Those with a kidney problem or disease

Affected by a high vital sign or a heart condition

HIV / AIDS

Any diabetes condition

The influenza virus mutates per annum and there's a special strain, so new and improved vaccines are developed annually to specialise in the new strain you're likely to encounter simply and this is often why it's so important to possess an alternate flu vaccine at the beginning of every flu season. It's often from April to higher May, but which will vary, albeit you're late getting your family flu vaccines, it's still important to possess that protection.

Does Your Child Need a Flu Shot?

Women who are not born and who are pregnant are also at risk of developing serious complications, so early vaccination is recommended, and women who are likely to become pregnant during the flu season are advised to cover with the influenza vaccine.

Once your child is vaccinated, it will take two weeks before he is fully protected from the flu, so consult your child's doctor if you think there are any complications such as your child not feeling well or if he needs an allergy to eggs or any other condition that you think it is. It may affect them.

If your child has not been vaccinated:

Your children between the ages of two and five will likely want urgent medical care from a doctor or emergency room.

Children are among the most active flu activists. This is often because they often forget to practice good hand hygiene and are usually exposed to many people. Children are more susceptible to contracting influenza virus than adults and they share it more easily.