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Are Flu Shots For Children

Children need a yearly flu shot as much as elders and people over 65 need it. This is a reminder for all parents. Experts believe that the epidemic spreads faster from younger children to adults.

Flu vaccine is almost 100% safe and effective in protecting children from flu attacks. The vaccine that does not match the flu strain circulating in the current year may fail to combat the flu virus. Other viruses causing cold and cough and flu like symptoms but are not the flu, the flu vaccine may also not combat such types of flu.

The building of antibodies and the fight against the flu virus takes about 2 weeks from the date of administration of the flu shot, so it is better to get the child vaccinated 2 weeks prior to the flu season, which usually falls in winter. The child can also be vaccinated any time during the flu season but remember, "Prevention is better than cure" and, "the earlier the better."

The flu shot cannot cause flu. As the vaccine is developed from inactivated or killed influenza viruses, it only develops antibodies to fight the flu causing viruses. Mild side effects should not be confused with an attack of flu.

Some children have an allergy to eggs and egg proteins and many show allergic reactions like anaphylactic reactions that may be shown as a reason to avoid flu shot. The flu vaccine is developed in embryonated ova of the virus and so can give rise to allergic reactions in children with allergy to egg proteins.

Children should be vaccinated every year before the flu season, which usually falls in the months of November and December. If the child is in a high risk group or has come into contact of a person who is flu affected or some one in the high risk group then the child should be necessarily be vaccinated. Flu shot is recommended and absolutely harmless for children 6 to 23 months old and others who come into contact with them. Flu shot is recommended for,

Typical flu symptoms include fever, sore throat, cold, cough, fatigue, and body pains that can be mild or moderate in most people, but severity or even deaths are reported each year in the elderly or in very young children and infants. Flu can be contacted from person-to person, through an infected person’s cough or sneezing which pass on the flu causing germs. Surfaces that have been touched by flu-affected persons if touched can pass on the virus. Treatment should be started early in case of an attack.

Influenza vaccine is the inactivated or killed virus that can produce antibodies. This vaccine type is changed every year to suit the strain circulating in the particular year. Vaccine is available for children over 6 months. As reduced thymerosal containing vaccines are presently available, they are found to be safe for children. Healthy children above 5 years can go in for Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine.

For an appropriate result children below 9 years should be administered two doses of the vaccine one month apart. But one vaccine per year suffices for children over 9 years and who have had got vaccinated earlier also.

Side Effects: Only mild side effects are reported- for E.g.: Redness and soreness and mild pain where the shot was given or a mild fever for a day or two.

Dosage: 0.25ml of inactivated flu vaccine for children below three and for children above three and adults: 0.5ml of the vaccine.