Influenza Vaccine
What is influenza?
Influenza is a disease caused by viruses. Each winter many people get influenza. Influenza causes a fever, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, and tiredness that may last for several days. The disease can usually be prevented by getting a vaccination, commonly called a flu shot.
Who should get a flu shot?
Healthy children age 6 to 23 months are encouraged to get the influenza vaccine if possible because they are at a greater risk of getting severely ill or needing to go to the hospital because of the flu.
The influenza vaccine is also recommended each year for children ages 6 months and older if they have certain medical risk factors. The vaccine can also be given to anyone wanting immunity. Talk to your health care provider for more information.
Children who are 6 months and older should have a flu shot if they have a long-term (chronic) disease such as:
- Asthma or other lung disease
- Congenital heart disease with defects that require medications or surgery or other heart disease
- Glomerulonephritis, kidney failure, or other kidney disease
- Diabetes or other metabolic disease
- Sickle cell disease or other anemia
- Immune system problems caused by a disease or medication
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or any other disease needing aspirin therapy.
If you have an otherwise healthy child and want your child to avoid getting influenza, your child may have a flu shot.
Other people who should have a flu shot include:
- People over 50 years of age or older
- Women who will be in the fourth to ninth month(s) of pregnancy during the influenza season
- Residents of nursing homes or chronic care facilities.
When are flu shots given?
An influenza shot can be given at the same time as any routine vaccine(s). Your child should get the shot between September and mid-November, if possible. Protection from the influenza virus usually lasts only for 1 year.
For more information about the vaccine, ask your doctor for an Influenza Vaccine Information Statement. If your child has an allergy to eggs or a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome, talk to the doctor about these problems before getting the flu shot.
