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The Flu Vaccine: Health 101
The flu vaccine protects against the flu (influenza), which is a very contagious infection of the respiratory system. Flu germs spread through the air (from coughing, sneezing, etc.) and from contact with infected objects and surfaces. The flu can make your child feel very achy and tired, causing fever, chills, loss of appetite, coughing, runny nose, and sore throat.
Though the flu is common, it can be uncomfortable and dangerous, especially for young kids. The flu can lead to complications like pneumonia, staph and ear infections, and fevers that may cause seizures. Though some parents might consider the flu a more serious cold, the virus sends more than 20,000 children under 5 to the hospital each year; children under 2 face the most serious risk.
Because complications from the flu can be so serious, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that children ages 6 months through 19 years receive the flu vaccine annually, as well as parents, caregivers, and anyone else who has close contact with kids . The vaccine is also very important for pregnant women.
The flu vaccine is especially recommended for kids and adults who are at higher risk from getting very sick should they contract the flu, including:
- Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- Pregnant women
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated) - People 50 years old and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medial conditions
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As an note to pregnant women, I had my H1NI shot when I was 6 months pregnant to avoid me getting really sick with asthma and protecting my baby from catching it after she was born. My pulmonologist said it should protect her during the few months after she was born. She said if I had an asthma attack it could affect the baby from the lack of oxygen, that would be worst. My daughter was born healthy and is a very active and has reached all her appropriate age milestones.
10/28/2010 09:38:02 AM Report AbuseI had all my shots when I was and infant here in the US and I suffer no long term problems. To the contrary, when you travel abroad they protect you from diseases in that country. Its better for your baby to be safe, than later you should be sorry when something happens. I am thinking of vaccinating my almost 8 month old daughter this week. Any one already had their child vaccinated?
10/28/2010 09:37:51 AM Report AbuseI had my flu shot this week because of my asthma. I know the year I did not get my flu shot, I was really sick with asthma and had to stay in bed. I cannot afford that with my daughter or risk getting her really sick. So far, my daughter is uu-to-date on her vaccines. She is not due until she turns 9 month. It's true, they hurt them at the moment but then they forget them.
10/28/2010 09:36:47 AM Report AbuseI have just been told by my physician that the flu vaccine is only good for four months and to delay getting it until end of October at least. Does anyone know for sure if this is true? If it only lasts four months then perhaps that is why people have said that they had the vaccine and still got the flu. Please advise. Thanks. Buzyb
9/20/2010 12:28:14 PM Report AbuseHI! Im a new mommy of a 8 month old boy, his name is Rennie. Ive been contimpalting whether or not to get my son the H1N1 vacintion. My husband works at a homeless shelter and he has diabebtes so he is at higher risk to get it.However im not sure if i should get our son vaccinated because im hearing all these crazy stories about people having bad reactions... I was wondering if any mommy out there has an opinion on this? PLease help??
11/11/2009 10:39:55 PM Report AbuseOne person I know has a one week old baby and takes her every where, even to a bowling leaque and goes shopping at Wal-mart!!! She keeps saying her baby has already had the neccesary shots for everything and that she'll be fine. I've been collecting stuff for her on all the info on shots for babies (flu and H1N1 shots can be given until 6 months of age and so on.) I'm expecting so I've been doing a lot of researching for practically everything. Makes me mad she's doing that.
11/7/2009 10:05:33 PM Report Abusesorry, accidently clicked on "Report Abuse" on "mylittleviolet". Not paying attention.
11/6/2009 12:16:36 AM Report Abusemy baby is 5 months and she goes to take care should she get the flu shot or is she still to little
10/16/2009 10:10:16 AM Report Abusehow safe is this swine flu shot?
10/14/2009 10:34:40 AM Report Abuseis this swine flue really neccesary for my kids even if they are healthy ,every year they always get the stuffy nose and coughin but get through the year pretty good
10/14/2009 10:29:47 AM Report AbuseMy child has egg, meat and dairy plus peanut allrgies. What is in this flu vaccine? Could you get it if he is allergic to eggs? Is is a shot or a nasal spray in the nose/ Thanks Lisa
10/10/2009 10:28:15 PM Report AbuseIf this is your child's first time getting a flu shot, they should receive it twice but at half the normal dose. So did your doctor give the full dose twice accidentally? I'm not an expert, but I don't think there is any serious or long term side affects. There might be a few mild side affects.
10/9/2009 03:58:55 PM Report Abusemy 8 month old baby girl was given the flu shot accidently 2 times in 2 weeks the doctor doesn't know what the side affects will be. does any one know what could happen??? if anyone has had simular things like this happen to them please help. thanks Nancy
9/30/2009 07:39:50 PM Report Abuse