With all the talk of the flu shot this time of year and how “best” to combat the flu, it can be confusing to figure out who in your family should get the flu shot each year. The bottom line boils down to this: if you are a household with kids under 5, every grown up and child over 6 months of age should get the flu shot annually unless a person has an allergy to a component of the flu shot such as egg. And, even if you don’t technically fall into this list, you likely come into contact enough with someone who would be at high risk if they contracted the flu, so getting the flu shot is a good idea still.
The flu is a very strong virus and we know from clinical experience that it hits the extremes of ages hardest: the kids and the elderly. Among the kids, the youngest of the kids and kids with chronic conditions are at most risk but just being a kid is a risk for the flu because their immune systems are still developing.
As for kids, there are two flu vaccines available: FluMist nasal spray and the traditional flu shot. Both work just as well in kids over 2 years of age and cost the same. So, for parents wanting to avoid another shot, the nasal mist is the way to go and is very well tolerated.
One question that comes up every year is why do encourage everyone to get a flu shot yearly. The flu virus changes yearly so our vaccine changes yearly. Luckily, most changes in the virus are not huge so the vaccine, although based on last year’s flu season, still work fine.
Here are the official CDC recommendations for who should get the flu shot each year:
1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:
o Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,
o Pregnant women
o People 50 years of age and older
o People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (primarily chronic heart and lung conditions such as congenital heart disease, respiratory conditions, and those people on immunosuppressive treatment)
o People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities
2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
o Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above) – i.e. parents of kids under 5!!
o Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
o Healthcare workers
Your pediatrician can help you figure out if your child would benefit from the flu shot and help answer any other questions you might have. For more information, the CDC website is a great resources, and I post frequent updates on Pediatrics Now as the flu season progresses.
Finally, talk to your kids about some simple flu-avoidance measures that can keep all of you as healthy as possible this winter:
1. Wash hands frequently
2. Stay away from sick people – cancel playdates if you have to, don’t go to school, work or activities if feeling sick. This self-exclusion is very important to control the spread of illness.
3. If you have to cough or sneeze, use the crook of your arm – and wash your hands if you cough/sneeze in your hands.
So, be wise, immunize…and when in doubt, wash your hands!
