Seasonal Flu Resource Center Blog
What You Need to Know About the Flu Vaccine for Your Children
Each year, otherwise healthy children die from the flu. Since 2003, reports of influenza-related pediatric deaths to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have ranged from 46 to 153 annually and last year’s H1N1 pandemic caused over 340 deaths in children. Children under the age of two have the highest risk of severe flu complications and every year, an average of 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized from influenza complications.1 Don’t let your child be one of these statistics! Protect your child from this very preventable illness with a flu vaccine.
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The seasonal flu vaccine is approved for children who are at least six months old. Unfortunately, children under six months are also at a greater risk for developing serious complications due to the flu. The best way to protect children less than six months is to make sure that everyone living in the same household gets a flu shot.
Other pediatric groups at an increased risk for serious flu-related complications include children six months to five years and children six months and older with chronic health problems, such as:
- asthma or other problems of the lungs;
- immune suppression;
- chronic kidney disease;
- heart disease;
- HIV/AIDS
- diabetes;
- sickle cell anemia; or
- long-term aspirin therapy;
- any condition that can reduce lung function (cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders). 1
Children should be vaccinated yearly, ideally as soon as the vaccine becomes available. The CDC recommends that some children receive two doses instead of one. To see what is recommended for your child, please consult this chart.
The flu is a very serious illness and is more dangerous than the common cold for children. It is important for both you and your child to receive a flu shot every year in order to remain protected. For more flu updates, click here.
To find a flu shot clinic near you, use our online locator.
Be sure to remind your family and friends to get their flu shots too by sending them a free e-card!
1 http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htm
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