Why Is It Important To Give Flu Vaccines To Children?

Why Is It Important To Give Flu Vaccines To Children?

30 Nov 2021 | 4 min Read

Dr Santosh Yadav

Author | 1 Articles

Medically reviewed by

Dr.Geetha Chanda

While Corona vaccines are still under trial for kids, protecting children has become parents’ utmost priority during these challenging times. Flu shots are essential for kids because the symptoms of Corona and Flu are almost the same, including fever, cold, and cough. And Flu vaccines may lessen these symptoms. Apart from this, many other reasons also advocate the importance of the flu vaccine for children.

Why Provide Flu Vaccine To Your Kid?

You should provide a flu vaccine to your kid since the COVID-19 virus causes similar symptoms, such as fever, cold, and cough. Doctors advise that the flu shot for babies can help to decrease symptoms that are similar to those symptoms that are produced by COVID-19, and that avoiding children from getting the flu and minimizing the severity of flu sickness can help you relax.

When Should A Child Get A Flu Vaccine?

Starting at the age of six months, doctors suggest that your kid receive a flu vaccine every year during the autumn. For optimum protection, doctors recommend that children aged 6 months to 8 years may require two doses. The CDC suggests getting a flu shot before the end of October as the virus spreads throughout your neighborhood during this period.

 

Which Vaccines Protect A Child Against A Flu?

The CDC recommends getting an annual flu vaccine for children with 6 months and older. People aged between 2 to 49 years old can receive nasal spray immunization. Certain patients with underlying medical issues, on the other hand, should not receive the nasal spray vaccination.

Should You Get A Vaccine If Pregnant? 

Yes. During pregnancy, changes in your immune, cardiac, and lung functioning increase your risk of becoming extremely ill from the flu. CDC advises pregnant women to obtain an annual seasonal flu vaccination by October. They can get vaccinated during the trimester of pregnancy. Getting vaccinated can also protect your kid from the flu after delivery.

Why Does Your Child Need A Flu Vaccine Every Year? 

  • The flu shot for babies helps them stay prevented from getting sick
  • Flu vaccination helps children avoid getting sick from various flu-related illnesses like viral fever, cough, and seasonal cold. 
  • The flu virus spreads quickly and can be contracted within six feet of distance. 

Getting vaccinated with Flu prevents your child from Flu infection, but it also protects other people. Thus, it is best to keep your child protected from any flu infection. Doses of vaccine should be given in the sixth month and seventh month, and after the child is one year of age, it should be given every year.

Flu Fact: The flu vaccine is not only for a child; anyone above six months can get the flu vaccine every year.

Try to get the Flu vaccine by the end of October. It takes two weeks to develop immunity against the flu viruses. However, if you miss the October dates, you may still get your family vaccinated for flu.

Side Effects Of Flu Vaccine In Children

Side effects of Flu shots are usually mild in children and go off without any medical intervention. The mild side effects are as follows:

  • Pain, swelling around the injected area
  • Muscle pain
  • Low-grade fever
  • Headache.

However, please note that if your child is younger than 6 months, or suffers from any severe allergy, let your doctor know about this condition. Infants below the age of 6 months babies are not recommended for the flu vaccine.

Related Articles:

Uncommon Facts About Household Flu: Here we bring you some of the most uncommon facts about the most common household flu disease. Check out now to find out! 

Is Children’s Flu Vaccine A Must?: The flu vaccine for children has proven to be the best defense against the flu virus. So, is it really important to give your child a flu vaccine? Get your answer here! 

Best 6 Foods To Eat During Flu Suffering: Here are 6 important food items to must-have when suffering from flu. Check them out!

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Suggestions offered by doctors on BabyChakra are of advisory nature i.e., for educational and informational purposes only. Content posted on, created for, or compiled by BabyChakra is not intended or designed to replace your doctor's independent judgment about any symptom, condition, or the appropriateness or risks of a procedure or treatment for a given person.